This looks great! Those are the sort of AF features I wanted to see in this camera. It's nice to see that they are still invested in updating improving.
I did as you said immediately after I saw this video. I was in the middle of a pretty grueling 3-day photo shoot of the State Track meet...6 meets in 3 days 9am-9pm, the sun was very bright and getting the AE right/not blowing out the photos was hard. Focus was really struggling. I did the firmware update late last night, before the last day of the State Championships today. The results were very good, very noticeable change and a much happier camper with the results! Thank you, Kobie, for all you do, the good advice and the researching for us!
Kobie This is a fantastic camera lsst week i did almost exactly thr same Gull shot and the tracking was dead on i have found the most important thing with this camera is setting up the user modes for differnt types of photography much more so than in previous Pentax cameras.
Thank you for this great video. Concerning Pentax/Ricoh we can only be pleased that the K3 III finally has a AF comparable to itself that is better and that they do not abandon their old customers. However, it took several years and several modifications of the firm to achieve this result. When we think of the initial AF for an APSC case sold even 2000€...
Fun update! I have only played with it a little bit but so far I'm preferring Type 1 + Sensitivity 5. It seems like Type 1 uses the surrounding focus points to track the subject better, whereas Type 3 wants to prioritize the center point. I'll keep playing with it. It does seem improved. Go Pentax!
No Gulls close by for me to try out the new firmware. Took Samson out in the backyard and threw his rope toy. Had the same lens and settings as in the video. 38 out of 40 in sharp focus.
Wow. Wow. It makes me think about purchasing K3-iii even if I already have KP... Btw, did you try KP? If yes, what is the main different features between them? Thank you in advance!!
KP has moveable screen, K-3 III doesn't. After that, K-3 III has everything already mentioned by @vampirolepis plus Astrotracer without the need for GPS.
The seagulls by the boats was good as that represents a complex background and harder AF task. I'll have to get my PLM back (loaned to a mate) and update the f/w and have a play. Nice one.
Dear Kobie! I am very glad of your advice and tips on how to set up the camera. Perhaps this "tenacity" is what the Pentax k-3 mark iii lacked to become a full-fledged camera among other brands. The only sad thing is that the Pentax k-3 mark iii is not produced much. And another request. Are there any changes to the Pentax k-3 mark 1 and Pentax kp? With great respect. I've been waiting and waiting for your records. Anatoly, Moscow 🙏
Hi Anatoly, the only updates for older Pentax cameras would be for lens compatibility when a new lens comes out. There won't be any new features or enhancements.
Regarding firmware 2.0, the grad ND filter is basically an hdr (kinda) for a part of the image that you need to pay for to unlock (and have an adress in japan). Am I mistaken?
Kobie, great video getting out important info on that 2.0 update and some definite fun at the beginning. I've mainly been a landscape and portrait photographere and see you are into wildlife quite a bit. In my shooting I use back button focusing for recomposition ease. I am interested in doing more of your type of shooting and wanted to ask you a couple of questions. I am usually in afs but I learned today another advantage of back button whereby you set camera up with afc and I can still use the back button as I usually do but also have quick access to afs by just keeping the back buton depressed and don't have to to switch from afs to afc mode in camera. Is that correct? In reference to this video for afs just keep it at the stability 1 or experiment with 2 or 3? For faster moving options with keeping back button depressed expereiment with 3-5? I should know this but I've always kept the camera in afs previously. but this seems like using back button focusing most useful. Thanks
Pretty much, yes. Mode 1 (stability) for sensitivity settings allows a greater range of movement before the camera will drive the focus system. However, when using AF.C with back button focus, one of the main advantages is that once focus is locked (green hexagon) you can just let off the back button which will maintain that focus distance. So you end up with the same functionality of AF.S when you need it (by just letting go of the back button) and when you need to re-focus, or track a moving subject, just press and hold the back button again). Stability mode (sensitivity 1) in a way, bridges the gap between pressing and letting off the back button, however, you should be ready to use the "let off the back button to hold the focus distance" technique just in case. I have found that sensitivity 1 does a really good job on static subjects and slow moving subjects, even when you're the one moving closer to the subject. There's just less re-focusing which allows for more keepers since you're not shooting while the lens is being driven. Hopefully that made sense lol.
Thanks as always for this Kobie! I really should know this ... but I have never programmed any features on any of my cameras, never used the green button. Can I program different AF settings for different situations so that I can switch back and forth, rather than needing to go through and change all of the individual AF settings? As you say, the settings you recommend for this are really sensitive and won't actually be good for a lot of other types of shooting. Ever prior to this firm ware version, I am wondering if this has contributed to the focusing problems I have been having in non-wildlife situations. Being able to flip between optimum AF settings for different situations easily would be really handy.
Yes, you can. I just tried it by saving to User mode boxes and assigning to the User mode on the dial. You can set every single AF parameter from AF hold, to AF.S or AF.C and which focus points as well as the new sensitivity options individually for each specific user mode.
I recently downloaded the 2.0 firmware to my K3 III, the 55-300 ppm focuses great, but I don't have very good focus with my 150-450mm. This lens focuses very well on my K1ii, what settings would you recommend for my K3 III to use this lens. I do a lot of bird photography with it. Great video from you as usual.
@@GrantMcElhinney If you're serious about monochrome photography then it's absolutely worth it given the extra sharpness, high so and dynamic range it's capable of. But, it is a specialist camera and shooting black and white isn't the same as color. But if you train yourself to just look at light and ignore color, it'll be a VERY powerful tool since it's the only monochrome dslr on the market.
Be careful with setting it as common. That setting will change focus at the same amount for all lenses instead of just doing the correction for just the lens that needs it.
I did love the "requires full battery for update" then taking 13 seconds to update. I understand it'd break if it went off during update but I thought I'd done it wrong lol. Loving the camera so far, feels like it does run hot though which the K3 original never did. That'll take getting used to! Got great shots yesterday but I'm feeling like maybe Sel S isn't great when birds come super close? A red kite was displaying to me yesterday and the focus was good but not great. Also, sad the Lightroom Denoise AI doesn't work with Pentax K3M3 due to bugs :(
@@KobieMC in instances when the bird fills the viewfinder should I be using Sel L or spot? At "medium" range some of the features on the bird have more detail than at the close range even though I was focused on him. Sorry for asking more, there's not many resources I can find for this camera
@@effarig7014 More often than not, I use SEL-EX S or M depending on how erratically the subject will move. The SEL-EX options always start with the center AF point then track from there. Zone and Full Auto will auto pick a focus point depending on what has the highest contrast, closest depth and/or recognized subject (provided you have subject recognition enabled). Zone and Full Auto are more easily confused by busy backgrounds etc.
I hope this firmware will increase AF.C capabilities also not using a burst. If the AF has been really improved I am expecting it will nail the subject even if I am not in a burst mode. Burst mode, I think , can help in having more in focus images but it is not the Af system. Of course i think it is a real improvement so I thin it will be easy have such a test (I'll do )
I am not sure which AF setting for BIF with blue sky in background. Would you choose old Type 1 with AF and AE sensors or would you choose new Type 3 with intensive tracking only with AF sensors? And what about BIF with busy background? Thank you in advance and best wishes!
You can use type 1 to enable subject recognition on a blue sky background and it would work just fine (I would use zone for that). Type 3 would be best for busy backgrounds with AF.C Sel-Ex S or M.
I was referring to just the new AF options which technically fall under the "2.0" level of firmware. But, yes, 2.01 didn't have anything I noticed regarding a change in font. Supposedly it's only for Chinese font.
The K-3/II have totally different hardware and software than the K-3 III. There's nothing more to do on the K-3/II without changing the hardware and software.
I might need to upgrade from my ancient KR... do folks here expect a new K1 to be released? I can't find any details or even rumors so perhaps someone in these comments knows something.
I'm sure there'll be another FF camera. Weather they name it K-1 III is an entirely different story lol. They probably will though, in a year from now. Or longer.
Thanks for bringing the firmware update to my attention. Will have to check my version now.
Hmm, definitely looks promising. Great to see how Ricoh keeps adding finesse to its APS-C flagship. 🤩
Your enthusiasm is contagious Kobie. Thank you.
As always, you provide the very best documentation that can be found when it comes to Pentax firmware releases. This was so helpful - thanks!
You're very welcome and thank you for the kind words!
Thanks Kobie. As the camera gets better it also gets more complex. Your videos help a lot!
This looks great! Those are the sort of AF features I wanted to see in this camera. It's nice to see that they are still invested in updating improving.
Kobie, fantastic, thanks for the video. Looking forward to you deep diving on the next video.
This (excellent) video is only two hours old and I'm already drooling with anticipation for the next one too!
I did as you said immediately after I saw this video. I was in the middle of a pretty grueling 3-day photo shoot of the State Track meet...6 meets in 3 days 9am-9pm, the sun was very bright and getting the AE right/not blowing out the photos was hard. Focus was really struggling. I did the firmware update late last night, before the last day of the State Championships today. The results were very good, very noticeable change and a much happier camper with the results! Thank you, Kobie, for all you do, the good advice and the researching for us!
That's awesome! And thank you for the kind words!
Great stuff! Just upgraded FW to 2.0 and this is exactly I wanted to get know about.
Kobie
This is a fantastic camera lsst week i did almost exactly thr same Gull shot and the tracking was dead on i have found the most important thing with this camera is setting up the user modes for differnt types of photography much more so than in previous Pentax cameras.
That is awsome news Kobie! I am looking forward to hear more oc your experiences with the 'new' AF settings.
Thanks we will be updating right away.
Good video Kobie, guess I will be updating both the K3iii tonight.
Yeah man 1.4 and 2.0 are GAME CHANGERS with AF performance.
Thank you for this great video.
Concerning Pentax/Ricoh we can only be pleased that the K3 III finally has a AF comparable to itself that is better and that they do not abandon their old customers.
However, it took several years and several modifications of the firm to achieve this result. When we think of the initial AF for an APSC case sold even 2000€...
Thanks for the good news and your comments. Спасибо!!!
Fun update! I have only played with it a little bit but so far I'm preferring Type 1 + Sensitivity 5. It seems like Type 1 uses the surrounding focus points to track the subject better, whereas Type 3 wants to prioritize the center point. I'll keep playing with it. It does seem improved. Go Pentax!
1:40 With Pentax, we enjoy even little things 😊
okay, I know, there's only little things
No Gulls close by for me to try out the new firmware. Took Samson out in the backyard and threw his rope toy. Had the same lens and settings as in the video. 38 out of 40 in sharp focus.
Wow. Wow. It makes me think about purchasing K3-iii even if I already have KP... Btw, did you try KP? If yes, what is the main different features between them? Thank you in advance!!
K-3iii has 2 SD cards, larger buffer, better auto focus, better ergonomics, better viewfinder, larger battery. KP has a tilt screen, weighs less, and older electronic technology.
KP has moveable screen, K-3 III doesn't. After that, K-3 III has everything already mentioned by @vampirolepis plus Astrotracer without the need for GPS.
Love your videos. Keep em coming!!
Thank you 🙂
The seagulls by the boats was good as that represents a complex background and harder AF task. I'll have to get my PLM back (loaned to a mate) and update the f/w and have a play. Nice one.
Ya, I was shocked that it nailed every shot. That background was crazy.
Dear Kobie!
I am very glad of your advice and tips on how to set up the camera. Perhaps this "tenacity" is what the Pentax k-3 mark iii lacked to become a full-fledged camera among other brands. The only sad thing is that the Pentax k-3 mark iii is not produced much. And another request. Are there any changes to the Pentax k-3 mark 1 and Pentax kp?
With great respect. I've been waiting and waiting for your records.
Anatoly, Moscow
🙏
Hi Anatoly, the only updates for older Pentax cameras would be for lens compatibility when a new lens comes out. There won't be any new features or enhancements.
Regarding firmware 2.0, the grad ND filter is basically an hdr (kinda) for a part of the image that you need to pay for to unlock (and have an adress in japan). Am I mistaken?
Yes, you are correct.
Thanks, interesting video
That song of yellow warbler in the background!😊
Kobie, great video getting out important info on that 2.0 update and some definite fun at the beginning. I've mainly been a landscape and portrait photographere and see you are into wildlife quite a bit. In my shooting I use back button focusing for recomposition ease. I am interested in doing more of your type of shooting and wanted to ask you a couple of questions. I am usually in afs but I learned today another advantage of back button whereby you set camera up with afc and I can still use the back button as I usually do but also have quick access to afs by just keeping the back buton depressed and don't have to to switch from afs to afc mode in camera. Is that correct? In reference to this video for afs just keep it at the stability 1 or experiment with 2 or 3? For faster moving options with keeping back button depressed expereiment with 3-5? I should know this but I've always kept the camera in afs previously. but this seems like using back button focusing most useful. Thanks
Pretty much, yes. Mode 1 (stability) for sensitivity settings allows a greater range of movement before the camera will drive the focus system. However, when using AF.C with back button focus, one of the main advantages is that once focus is locked (green hexagon) you can just let off the back button which will maintain that focus distance. So you end up with the same functionality of AF.S when you need it (by just letting go of the back button) and when you need to re-focus, or track a moving subject, just press and hold the back button again).
Stability mode (sensitivity 1) in a way, bridges the gap between pressing and letting off the back button, however, you should be ready to use the "let off the back button to hold the focus distance" technique just in case. I have found that sensitivity 1 does a really good job on static subjects and slow moving subjects, even when you're the one moving closer to the subject. There's just less re-focusing which allows for more keepers since you're not shooting while the lens is being driven.
Hopefully that made sense lol.
Thanks as always for this Kobie! I really should know this ... but I have never programmed any features on any of my cameras, never used the green button. Can I program different AF settings for different situations so that I can switch back and forth, rather than needing to go through and change all of the individual AF settings? As you say, the settings you recommend for this are really sensitive and won't actually be good for a lot of other types of shooting. Ever prior to this firm ware version, I am wondering if this has contributed to the focusing problems I have been having in non-wildlife situations. Being able to flip between optimum AF settings for different situations easily would be really handy.
Yes, you can. I just tried it by saving to User mode boxes and assigning to the User mode on the dial. You can set every single AF parameter from AF hold, to AF.S or AF.C and which focus points as well as the new sensitivity options individually for each specific user mode.
I recently downloaded the 2.0 firmware to my K3 III, the 55-300 ppm focuses great, but I don't have very good focus with my 150-450mm. This lens focuses very well on my K1ii, what settings would you recommend for my K3 III to use this lens. I do a lot of bird photography with it. Great video from you as usual.
First things first, have you done AF fine adjustment to make sure focus is correct on the lens itself?
I went to the AF Fine adjustment, and set it at common, it works well now. Thank you for your help, it is greatly appreciated.@@KobieMC
One other thing while I am in contact with you, what are your thoughts about getting the Monochrome. I am considering purchasing it.
@@GrantMcElhinney If you're serious about monochrome photography then it's absolutely worth it given the extra sharpness, high so and dynamic range it's capable of. But, it is a specialist camera and shooting black and white isn't the same as color. But if you train yourself to just look at light and ignore color, it'll be a VERY powerful tool since it's the only monochrome dslr on the market.
Be careful with setting it as common. That setting will change focus at the same amount for all lenses instead of just doing the correction for just the lens that needs it.
I did love the "requires full battery for update" then taking 13 seconds to update. I understand it'd break if it went off during update but I thought I'd done it wrong lol.
Loving the camera so far, feels like it does run hot though which the K3 original never did. That'll take getting used to! Got great shots yesterday but I'm feeling like maybe Sel S isn't great when birds come super close? A red kite was displaying to me yesterday and the focus was good but not great. Also, sad the Lightroom Denoise AI doesn't work with Pentax K3M3 due to bugs :(
You have to be spot on when using single AF points like S, spot or XS.
@@KobieMC in instances when the bird fills the viewfinder should I be using Sel L or spot? At "medium" range some of the features on the bird have more detail than at the close range even though I was focused on him.
Sorry for asking more, there's not many resources I can find for this camera
@@effarig7014 More often than not, I use SEL-EX S or M depending on how erratically the subject will move. The SEL-EX options always start with the center AF point then track from there. Zone and Full Auto will auto pick a focus point depending on what has the highest contrast, closest depth and/or recognized subject (provided you have subject recognition enabled). Zone and Full Auto are more easily confused by busy backgrounds etc.
I hope this firmware will increase AF.C capabilities also not using a burst. If the AF has been really improved I am expecting it will nail the subject even if I am not in a burst mode. Burst mode, I think , can help in having more in focus images but it is not the Af system. Of course i think it is a real improvement so I thin it will be easy have such a test (I'll do )
I am not sure which AF setting for BIF with blue sky in background. Would you choose old Type 1 with AF and AE sensors or would you choose new Type 3 with intensive tracking only with AF sensors? And what about BIF with busy background? Thank you in advance and best wishes!
You can use type 1 to enable subject recognition on a blue sky background and it would work just fine (I would use zone for that). Type 3 would be best for busy backgrounds with AF.C Sel-Ex S or M.
@@KobieMC thank you! Is subject recognition only available in zone and full auto or also in sel-m?
The next update is now out but seems to have minimal changes. Changes from V2.00 to V2.01 - Simplified fonts have been updated.
I was referring to just the new AF options which technically fall under the "2.0" level of firmware. But, yes, 2.01 didn't have anything I noticed regarding a change in font. Supposedly it's only for Chinese font.
First thing I did purchased was hit that update
.. great!... they take care of this model... because they have completely forgotten about K3/2 ! :)
The K-3/II have totally different hardware and software than the K-3 III. There's nothing more to do on the K-3/II without changing the hardware and software.
Do i need to upgrade mine then? 😮😮😮😮
I would. Absolutely!
Hey can you do a video CCD vs CMOS video?
Unfortunately, I no longer have a CCD camera.
I might need to upgrade from my ancient KR... do folks here expect a new K1 to be released? I can't find any details or even rumors so perhaps someone in these comments knows something.
I'm sure there'll be another FF camera. Weather they name it K-1 III is an entirely different story lol. They probably will though, in a year from now. Or longer.
That looks pretty good.
It is! Sooooo good 🙂