Thank you so much for these videos. I am new to DSLR. I actually have a K70, but is very similar and your videos have helped me more than any others I have found. Your clear explanation of all the settings is better than anything else.
Excellent instructional video set showing the capabilities of this camera. I just bought mine and am new to DSLR photography. This saved me a lot of confusion and frustration. Thanks!
Hi Just Purchased a K-S2 and am waiting for it to be delivered, i have been enjoying your video's and it's nice to see a tutorial that covers everything. Many Thanks
Please tell me if I can use an older,Pentax AF-500 ftz flash atop a K-3ii body ? I have been told that this flash's intial fire voltage could fry the curcuitry in the K-3ii body?
According to some random dude on DPreview, it's safe. And, insofar as I know, that generation of the Pentax flashes is able to fully pair with the K-3 bodies of each generation so I do believe it to be safe. I've used an AF330 on my Pentax DSLRs without issue or worry before.
great instructional video! only, i wonder why David Hancock fails to mention in-camera HDR (High Dynamic Range) capabilities of the camera when he talks so extensively about it while explaining the Multi-exposure functions of the camera!? (hint: Pentax was probably the first DSLR maker that incorporated in-camera HDR capabilities to its K-5 model years ago!)
Yes, the K-3 II has a different layout than the K-S2, which was a tier below the K-3 II. I think I have some videos about the K-3 and K-3 II that go into similar detail as this one.
David, your tutorial videos are excellent. I own a K-3, K-50, and a recently purchased K-70. I'm just wondering if you have any plans to produce a tutorial series on the K-70, or do you think it is so similar to the K-S2 that a separate tutorial series is not really necessary. Thanks again for your excellent videos!
Thank you! I likely won't get a K-70 tutorial out. It has a similar interface to the K-S2, but the K-S2 has more features (IIRC.) In general, Pentaxes operate in about the same way. So if you have or get a K-70 then even though it will have a few differences from the K-S2 it will be familiar -- just like driving a Honda is different than driving a VW in some minor ways, the general interface is the same.
Thanks for the quick response! I thought that might be the case. Keep up the fine work. Here's an unrelated question for you. Tamron and Sigma both have 150-600mm zooms available at a reasonable price, but only for Canon and Nikon mounts. Are you aware of any zoom lenses similar to these (in zoom range, quality and price) that are available for Pentax 'K' mount cameras?
Thanks !! a few questions question: Does the Pentax K-S2 provide auto ISO with Minimum shutter speed option the way Nikon D5500 does?? Also in Live view does it provide exposure simulation in Manual mode (& other modes) the way canon cameras do. for all exposure changes i.e. ISO, Shutter, Aperture? and when we dial in & change the aperture in live view do we see the Depth of Field changing in real-time as we change aperture? I think Canon provides it, But Nikon Does not provide anything in this aspect. also could we benefit from the Optical stabilization feature if a stabilized lens is used with this camera, or it simply doesnt get enabled when using with this camera. Do we need to switch Shake reduction off to benefit IS/OS/VR feature of the Lens. if not then is it possible to benefit from both, the optical stabilization & sensor stabilization giving vibration control of more than 3.5 stops??
+anu l A few answers: Yes, the K-S2 has the same shooting mode as the D5500. The Pentax also has TAv mode, which I don't think that the D5500 has. Yes. Live view has an optical preview, but you need to assign a button on the camera to perform the optical preview. Pentax does not make stabilized lenses that I know of. Also, in-body stabilization provides a better result than lens-based stabilization. Leaving IS on is the best approach unless you're shooting on a tripod. If you know of a Pentax lens with in-lens stabilization, let me know. I'm not an expert on their DA lenses.
from what I've heard mostly, the optical stabilization is generally considered superior to sensor-based, but is a costly solution than sensor based. also I've heard that sensor based shake reduction becomes less effective as we go towards the Telephoto side. what do you think.
David Hancock here are a few stabilized (OS) lenses by sigma, & they are all telephoto zoom. maybe sigma came up with this because IBIS isnt as effective as OIS at the telephoto end. lenshero.com/lenses/Pentax-K-5-image-stabilized-lens
***** Got it. Third-party lenses use in-lens stabilization. I'm not sure how that would work. From a basic optical engineering perspective, lens-based stabilization will be less effective and have odd image ramifications (excessive jelly effect, for instance) compared to in-camera stabilization. In-camera stabilization delivers jelly-effect stabilization sometimes, too, but to a lesser degree than in-lens. But I'm not sure how a third-party stabilization system will work or not with a Pentax in-body system.
+Mokhtar CHOUGRANI No. The K-S2 works with the O-GPS unit that Pentax sells. The Pentax K-3 II is, right now, the only Pentax body with a GPS built into it.
Thank you so much for these videos. I am new to DSLR. I actually have a K70, but is very similar and your videos have helped me more than any others I have found. Your clear explanation of all the settings is better than anything else.
Thank you and yes these are very close to the K-70. Both are great cameras.
Excellent instructional video set showing the capabilities of this camera. I just bought mine and am new to DSLR photography. This saved me a lot of confusion and frustration. Thanks!
Thank you!
Hi Just Purchased a K-S2 and am waiting for it to be delivered, i have been enjoying your video's and it's nice to see a tutorial that covers everything. Many Thanks
Nice! These are a great price right now, too. I would think you'll be very happy with the K-S2.
Nice video with all minor details 👍
Thank you!
Please tell me if I can use an older,Pentax AF-500 ftz flash atop a K-3ii body ?
I have been told that this flash's intial fire voltage could fry the curcuitry in the K-3ii body?
According to some random dude on DPreview, it's safe. And, insofar as I know, that generation of the Pentax flashes is able to fully pair with the K-3 bodies of each generation so I do believe it to be safe. I've used an AF330 on my Pentax DSLRs without issue or worry before.
great instructional video! only, i wonder why David Hancock fails to mention in-camera HDR (High Dynamic Range) capabilities of the camera when he talks so extensively about it while explaining the Multi-exposure functions of the camera!? (hint: Pentax was probably the first DSLR maker that incorporated in-camera HDR capabilities to its K-5 model years ago!)
Thank you!
I forget specifically why I skipped it. Possibly and oversight on my part.
Also, my K-3ii has a setting dial on the left side of the pentaprism,& a rectangle electronic screen atop the right side !?
Yes, the K-3 II has a different layout than the K-S2, which was a tier below the K-3 II. I think I have some videos about the K-3 and K-3 II that go into similar detail as this one.
David, your tutorial videos are excellent. I own a K-3, K-50, and a recently purchased K-70. I'm just wondering if you have any plans to produce a tutorial series on the K-70, or do you think it is so similar to the K-S2 that a separate tutorial series is not really necessary. Thanks again for your excellent videos!
Thank you!
I likely won't get a K-70 tutorial out. It has a similar interface to the K-S2, but the K-S2 has more features (IIRC.) In general, Pentaxes operate in about the same way. So if you have or get a K-70 then even though it will have a few differences from the K-S2 it will be familiar -- just like driving a Honda is different than driving a VW in some minor ways, the general interface is the same.
Thanks for the quick response! I thought that might be the case. Keep up the fine work. Here's an unrelated question for you. Tamron and Sigma both have 150-600mm zooms available at a reasonable price, but only for Canon and Nikon mounts. Are you aware of any zoom lenses similar to these (in zoom range, quality and price) that are available for Pentax 'K' mount cameras?
I think there's an older Sigma that fits the bill, but I'm not too up on zoom lenses.
thank you.. :D
+imjustafruit You're welcome :D
Thanks !!
a few questions question:
Does the Pentax K-S2 provide auto ISO with Minimum shutter speed option the way Nikon D5500 does??
Also in Live view does it provide exposure simulation in Manual mode (& other modes) the way canon cameras do. for all exposure changes i.e. ISO, Shutter, Aperture?
and when we dial in & change the aperture in live view do we see the Depth of Field changing in real-time as we change aperture? I think Canon provides it, But Nikon Does not provide anything in this aspect.
also could we benefit from the Optical stabilization feature if a stabilized lens is used with this camera, or it simply doesnt get enabled when using with this camera.
Do we need to switch Shake reduction off to benefit IS/OS/VR feature of the Lens.
if not then is it possible to benefit from both, the optical stabilization & sensor stabilization giving vibration control of more than 3.5 stops??
+anu l A few answers:
Yes, the K-S2 has the same shooting mode as the D5500. The Pentax also has TAv mode, which I don't think that the D5500 has.
Yes. Live view has an optical preview, but you need to assign a button on the camera to perform the optical preview.
Pentax does not make stabilized lenses that I know of. Also, in-body stabilization provides a better result than lens-based stabilization.
Leaving IS on is the best approach unless you're shooting on a tripod.
If you know of a Pentax lens with in-lens stabilization, let me know. I'm not an expert on their DA lenses.
from what I've heard mostly, the optical stabilization is generally considered superior to sensor-based, but is a costly solution than sensor based.
also I've heard that sensor based shake reduction becomes less effective as we go towards the Telephoto side.
what do you think.
David Hancock here are a few stabilized (OS) lenses by sigma, & they are all telephoto zoom.
maybe sigma came up with this because IBIS isnt as effective as OIS at the telephoto end.
lenshero.com/lenses/Pentax-K-5-image-stabilized-lens
***** Got it. Third-party lenses use in-lens stabilization. I'm not sure how that would work. From a basic optical engineering perspective, lens-based stabilization will be less effective and have odd image ramifications (excessive jelly effect, for instance) compared to in-camera stabilization. In-camera stabilization delivers jelly-effect stabilization sometimes, too, but to a lesser degree than in-lens. But I'm not sure how a third-party stabilization system will work or not with a Pentax in-body system.
If "P", program mode, chooses all factors how is it different from AUTO?
There are different parameters in program mode versus auto and program mode can also be shifted to allow some control.
Surely if the camera is facing forward from its operator it would, I opine, be extended holding its side instead of its front?
+Joe Beard Perhaps.
Thanks, David
The GPS is integrated on the KS2?
+Mokhtar CHOUGRANI No. The K-S2 works with the O-GPS unit that Pentax sells. The Pentax K-3 II is, right now, the only Pentax body with a GPS built into it.