The K-S1 and the 18-135 lens

flektogon wrote:

Historicity wrote:

flektogon wrote:

Dan,

I have to admit that I am rather an "old fashion" photographer, i.e. I am using my digital cameras as I used to use my film cameras. The only exemption is the auto-focus and auto-exposure, which I appreciate to have. There are tens if not hundreds customized settings on a modern digital camera (like my K-S1), but I am avoiding to modify them as much as possible. Why? Because I trust the camera designers that they used (as the default) the most reasonable and optimal setting of each function/parameter. I am a retired firmware designer myself, so I know how I struggled with every, even the least important parameter, to be set the best possible way. I do not have any reason not to trust the Pentax (Japanese) designers that they didn't do their best to satisfy customers.

I keep everything on my camera in the default position. The exception is the 11-point AF setting, which I changed to 5. On my older K-x, which doesn't indicate where the camera focuses, I had to select the central point obviously. Regarding the exposure control, the P mode yields me the best results. Occasionally I select the Av or Tv mode, when for certain reasons I need to keep a fixed aperture or shutter speed.

There is another mode, TAv, which is not described in the manual at all. Do you know how it works and how it could be useful? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Regards,

Peter

Peter,

"The Pentax-unique TAv (shutter and aperture priority) and Sv (sensitivity priority) exposure modes are also available. TAv is essentially M mode with auto ISO, while Sv is essentially P mode with manual ISO. Having a separate modes for the purpose of controlling the ISO is convenient, however, as they carry the added convenience of exposure compensation, and the ability to quickly switch between different sensitivity presets."

Lawrence

I see. So, for the TAv mode really two wheels would be desirable, one controlling the aperture and the other shutter speed. The Sv mode can basically work with just one wheel, which apparently controls the ISO. But then there is a difficulty to modify the aperture/shutter speed ratio if needed. Well, now I know why I prefer the P mode .

I didn't mean to preempt anything Dan might say.  I was curious myself and so found the quote from a Pentax discussion.  I then searched the Pentax manual and found the Tav and Sv on page 40 under exposure modes, but the table while correct is confusing.  After playing with it and seeing how it works in action, the Tav setting does look interesting to me.  I could set the shutter speed fast enough to catch any action and just control the aperture in order to get a solid dot. Maybe in that mode I wouldn't be changing the AF switch to MF quite so much.

The Sv setting sounds a bit spooky to me.  After years of mistrusting high ISO the K-S1 (as well as the K-S2) would have me adjust the ISO upwards until I got the shutter speed I wanted.  In playing with it just now I readily had the ISO up to 3200 in a darkish room looking at a darkish sky.  I suspect I'd be getting noise from the K-S1 at ISO 3200.

Lawrence

Lawrencce

Lawrence