RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: K-5 English User Manual Uploaded at the Pentax Japanese Website

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

K-5 English User Manual Uploaded at the Pentax Japanese Website

It now appears at the manual download page: http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/download_manual.html

And the direct download link is: http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-5.pdf

A quick glance to the manual verifies the following limitations of the K-5, many of which are in common with the K-r:-

User Manual Page	Limitation
116	Slow Top Flash X-sync of 1/180th second
124	The Same SAFOX VIII Physical Layout (Precise Pinpointing is Just Impossible)
-	No f/2.8 AF Sensor (Which Affects AF Accuracy with Fast Primes*)
151	Maximum 8 frames for Shooting RAW in Continuous Hi mode (7 fps) (Whilst it can only be up to 10 frames for Continuous Lo (at only 1.6 fps))
171	Motion JPEG in AVI Only for Video Recording (No Motion Compression)
172, 174	Only Aperture and EV Compensation Can be Set for Video Recording
173	Mono Sound Recording for Built-in Microphone for Video Recording
175	AF and Re-focusing is Not Possible During Video Recording (Vs All Current C, N and S DSLRs with the Video Function Can! :-o)
175	No Still Image Can be Taken During Video Recording (which All Current Canon DSLRs Can)

*N.B.: Canon had f/2.8 AF line sensors incorporated into their entry level DSLRs since the EOS 450D whilst Nikon and Sony middle class to higher end models do also have. Why Pentax alone did not make it?! >:-( It helps a lot to minimise AF errors with fast primes at wider apertures after all.

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Chris · 750 weeks ago

Very interesting post and thanks for the link, Rice.

The first one refers to Flash X-Sync. True, but no issue to the occasional flash user, which I'd say the typical K-5 user is, because the K-5 is not optimized to be the perfect "studio" camera but rather optimized for outdoor use. So it is not to be expected to set a new record in X-Sync. (15 years ago we were happy with X-Syncs of 1/60). I am reading the strobist blog as well, and have learned that manual flash is king, so I'll never complain about TTL - I simply switch it off. And I have not found a single article of Mr. Hobby where he needs ANY specific X-Sync, on the contrary, his art is longer exposures with flash to balance ambient with flash light. But I digress...

Number 2 and 3 refer to AF. The layout of the SAFOX IX+ sensors is somewhat different to SAFOX VIII+ but very similar, as I understand. Well I have little problems focusing with the K-7, so I expect a gradual improvement. Of course more AF points would be better, but Pentax has focused primarily on a better sensor and further improvements to image processing and software (which is good).

Could somebody explain to me what a f/2.8 AF point is?

The other 5 of your 8 "limitations" refer to video recording. Seriously, video recording in ALL of today's DSLRs is in an experimental stadium. E.g., no DSLR that I know of can record video with stereo sound in acceptable (sound) quality without add-on microphone. Also, for video I'd say the DLT principle of Sony is superior.

BTW, I am SOOO happy that the K-5 RETAINS many of the good features of the K-7, like the ultra-ergonomical form factor, button layout, and graphical user interface, the beautiful colour response, etc. They have improved on digital filters, in-camera post-processing and HDR, all of which are functions the "serious" photographer frowns upon but guys, admit it: it's FUN! (how often have I played with these functions just for fun, and was happy I did not have a bulky, heavy mainstream "serious" DSLR...

C

PS. One real shortcoming of the K-5 is: I'm still waiting for it !!!!!

14 replies · active 750 weeks ago

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RiceHigh 110p · 750 weeks ago

Whilst I think the K-5 would be still a good camera tool, it has not many breakthroughs. In fact, now most of the advantages that it have been praised are mostly the benefits of the new Sony sensor, which is shared amongst the A55 and D7000 anyway, frankly.

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Chris · 750 weeks ago

Yes, the K-5 is an evolution rather than a revolution, but an evolution in the right direction. Pentax addressed the main weak spot of the K-7, the low-light signal-noise ratio. In doing that, they are listening to their customers. I feel perfectly comfortable with that.

It comes as no surprise that Pentax has to purchase the sensor from someone else, and that the supplier (Sony) did not develop the sensor exclusively for Pentax but rather sells it to others (Nikon) and uses it in own devices. This is a non-issue and nothing to talk about, how could it be otherwise?

Except for Sony and Canon (and maybe Olympus?), no camera manufacturer can afford to develop/manufacture own sensors. Sony and Canon can do that because they are huge and diversified corporations.

C

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RiceHigh 110p · 750 weeks ago

There are also giants like Kodak and Fuji..

As for Pentax, after their separation with Samsung, they have no choice indeed, but Sony, for consumer imagers.

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Match · 750 weeks ago

I believe somewhere here before talked about f/2.8 AF and it provides a better AF accuracy.

X-sync is an issue for this type of camera and I totally agree with Mr Rice...

The other features regarding to Video, only re-focusing is real issue. Since it lacks of re-focusing, it limits the use of video recording feature... so the rest of the issues about video become meaningless.

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RiceHigh 110p · 750 weeks ago

TTL split prism focusing working principle and also about "f/2.8" AF sensor, read this article till the end:-

http://dougkerr.net/Pumpkin/articles/Split_Prism....

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Chris · 750 weeks ago

Rice, thanks for the link, I have read and understood it, and yes, I agree that especially for the large-aperture FA primes (and to lesser extent some DAs), a 2.8 AF point in the center would be desirable, especially for those of us whose eyesight is not 20/20, so we have to rely on autofocus.

It also appears that a single, center 2.8 AF point would not be difficult to implement.

C

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RiceHigh 110p · 750 weeks ago

You're welcome. That technical article is indeed well written and easily understood, even for laymen.

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David · 750 weeks ago

I just went to the Pentax sponsored event on Sunday at Samy's camera in greater L.A. Jasper Gray was there to talk about making DSLR videos with the K-7 (and now K-5). Video AF is generally not an issue to a professional, nor was the Motion JPEG AVI. He sets the focus manually, usually with and aperture with shallow DOF, and shoots the scene. He may pan for effect and pre-plans and rehearses any manual focus adjustment for the few times he needs it. I tried the video AF re-focus on the Nikon 3100 recently and while it worked, it was a bit slow. It would be a joke for any continuous shooting - only semi-OK for home movies. Of course I may not have had the camera set up optimally, knowing little about it.

As for Motion JPEG, his first step when taking footage off the SD card is converting to an editing-friendly apple format anyway. But for those who don't want to convert, I understand Motion JPEG AVI is superior for digital splicing.

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RiceHigh 110p · 750 weeks ago

The K-5 is not intended for professional video shooters anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I am not totally against Motion JPEG for video recording. But, the problem is, Pentax should make a compression format to be available as an *option*. Just think about when a DSLR is without JPEG, like those Sigma SD models.. Then, should we call it to be a "true" professional DSLR just because it lacks JPEG?! :-o

Still, I just can't understand why Pentax could not and should not let their users to press a button to do re-focusing during video recording when it is needed. Also, it is just an option! For those who don't need it, just don't press the button during the course! What's the real problem actually?

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Chris · 750 weeks ago

IMO, more important than improved flash sync would be - for outdoor photography - to include GPS geotagging in the camera.

Why anybody expects a digital still camera to be as good or even better shooting videos compared to dedicated devices, I don't understand. Video shooting with the K-7 suffices for most occasional uses. I'm fine with the video but find the builtin AUDIO worth of improvement.

C

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Chris · 750 weeks ago

...I should add, I'll still buy the K-5 as it is, no question. But if a future "K-5 super" offers geotagging as additional feature, I'm in again.

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RiceHigh 110p · 750 weeks ago

So, with the huge money invested for each "new" model with incremental improvements, I'd save my money to buy something better else! :-)

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Chris · 750 weeks ago

Cameras can be bought as well as sold...

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RiceHigh 110p · 750 weeks ago

Yes, but the "depreciation" rate is fast and thus upgrade cost is still huge!

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stick2mygear · 750 weeks ago

If it will all be confirmed, I guess that's great news for my wallet, I'll be keeping my k20d as long as it will work and save myself a bunch of money. Perhaps a Pentax mirrorless later, IF it will be able to accommodate my FAs and DAs without much hassle - if not, I won't be buying one, for the price of re-buying my glass I might as well switch system.

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climbertrev · 750 weeks ago

Hang on a sec
Also read the recommended article "till the end"
It's old - 2005
Nothing about f2.8 just some Canon praise (EOS 20D)

However this

"The magnitude and sign of the discrepancy will indicate the amount, and the direction, of the misfocus. Based on this, the overall autofocus system can adjust the position of the lens as required to bring focus to the proper state" (page 16)

Pentax seem to offer the option in - at least their higher end cameras - (to fine tune individual lens focus)
Is this the basis on which they do it?
Do other manufacturers achieve that?
Does it work in practice?
AND can it be achieved with a central f2.8 focus point?

Confused and needing (probably the Men-in White)!

TREV

1 reply · active 750 weeks ago

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RiceHigh 110p · 750 weeks ago

The focus adjustment is a remedial when there is no other better facility for measuring the correct focus for fast primes.

The f/2.8 sensor is the true accurate answer to the problem. There will be no more guess work!

Mind you that a single adjustment factor will NOT work for all circumstances, e.g., near Vs distant objects.

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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

K-5 English User Manual Uploaded at the Pentax Japanese Website

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