Camera test 36
Photography News Issue 23 absolutephoto.com
ISO performance TheK-3 II has an ISOrange of 100- 51,200 and this can be adjusted in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 step increments. JPEGs and Raws can be shot throughout the sensitivity span. Its Auto ISO function can run across the range, or be limited to as little as 100-200 for fine control. Switching to TAv (shutter-and-aperture-priority) allows the user to set shutter speed andaperturewith the ISOonAuto. Like all Pentax DSLRs, the K-3 II has an Sv (sensitivity-priority) mode, wherein ISO is manually chosen and shutter speed and aperture calculated to match; an interesting function, but I’m yet to find a compelling reason to prioritise sensitivity over setting the aperture or shutter speed – it’s a bit like going back to film. The K-3 II’s ISO performance is a big plus for the camera. We set up a still-life in simple window lighting and shot it through the ISO range, starting with a base exposure of 0.5sec at f/11, ISO 100. Images show excellent noise control and as you’d expect, the default Noise Reduction on the JPEGs gives them a smoother finish than the unprocessed Raws. Noise levels at ISO 1600 are perfectly acceptable for general use, though details do soften slightly at that stage. At 3200 JPEGs start to look more blotchy, and youwouldn’t want to go above 6400 if possible. At those settings, the grain of the unprocessed Raws is preferable. Colours remain acceptably true up to 12,800.
Full-frame image
ISO 800 JPEG
ISO 800 Raw
ISO 1600 JPEG
ISO 1600 Raw
ISO 3200 JPEG
ISO 3200 Raw
ISO 12,800 JPEG
ISO 12,800 Raw
Fast and steady
Retromode
The Pentax K-3 II uses an in-camera image stabilisation (Shake Reduction, SR), so it’s compatible with all lenses, and it’s especially useful when shooting with telephoto lenses handheld. SR on the K-3 II is rated at 4.5 stops, so, in theory, you can shoot at speeds up to four and half times slower than normal and still achieve sharp images. Keen to test this, along with the K-3 II’s AF tracking modes, I put the SR function through its paces at the East KirkbyAir Show, using the camerawith theHDDFA* 70- 200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW. Camera shake and/or slipped focus was a big risk, but the combo didn’t disappoint. At its 200mm setting, you’re looking at a 300mm equivalent thanks to the 1.5x crop factor of the K-3 II’s
APS-C sized sensor, so you’d expect to need a minimum of 1/320sec to keep the image sharp, along with some steady handling. Reduce 1/320sec by 4.5 stops and you have something around 1/15sec, at which I certainly returned sharp images of still subjects – it was a really impressive performance. For panning shots of prop-driven aircraft, I tend to shoot at around 1/160sec, and the intentional movement offollowingthesubjectcausesfurtherproblems.Istillhad a big proportion of hits at this setting, like the one below, and the continuous AF (AF.C), used in nine-point auto mode, followed subjects very well, even when turning towards the sun where some systems can struggle.
Miniature mode
Toy camera mode
100% view
Digital Filters Most digital cameras in the consumer bracket feature digital filters which can be applied to images in shooting or with in-camera editing. And despite being stacked with features aimed at a more enthusiast market, the Pentax K-3 II also includes these under its Digital Filters mode. The effects range fromBold Monochrome, and subtle vintage film looks (Toy Camera and Retro), all of which can be added in shooting. There are also more elaborate finishes like Sketch and Watercolor that are activated in playback editing. All the filters can be personalised, so for example you can applymore or less blur, as well as change its position in the Toy Camera effect, which works well. Subtler shifts in colour can be achieved via the CustomColor menu when shooting.
1/160sec at f/13, ISO 100; 350mm continuous AF and 9 point Auto area mode, Shake Reduction on
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