Pentax K-5 at Thai Fashion Show, S'pore Oct 16: Low Light, No Flash, High ISO

[zoom3]

Went shopping after the Little India outing. On the way back, decided to drop by Iluma Shopping Centre to check out the Thai Fashion Show. I didn't bring my flash but hey, no worries. I have my new weapon, the K-5. Given the hype surrouding it, shouldn't be a problem, right? Right??

And the verdict? Yes, It's Right on Pentax. Congratulations. You have a real winner here. It's not just the high ISO capabilities of the K-5 but the combination of the 16.3 megapixel, fast & accurate autofocus in low light and that soooooo quiet & responsive shutter. Plus all the great ergonomic features of the K-7 we know so well.

No technical comparisons here but just showing what the camera can do to meet real life shooting requirements. The lighting condition at Iluma is poor. The stage has effects lighting only. And the close up shots of the models are next to the escalator where there is no lighting at all other than the shopping centre lighting - which is quite low.

Most shots are taken at ISO2500. No flash. I reduced the noise of some photos, especially the close ups with Noise Ninja. The detail retention with this K-5 is superb.

Okay, enough talking. Here are the shots.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

[zoom3]

And here are my 2 favourites. Just with the ambient light from the shopping centre. Not studio quality but this was something I could never achieve with the K10D nor the K-7.

The K-5 / FA77 combo is SWEET:lovegrin:
6.

7.

 

[scorpioh]

Very impressive!

 

[scorpioh]

I think that is also the reason why Pentax never bother to update their flash. They should be going EOL soon. Lol!

 

[tsammyc]

Very nice. However, I think some of those female models may be men

 

[poseur]

K5 posion thread alert!!!....during the little india outing only dare to test drive the Kr, dont dare touch the k5.... looking into my K5 saving fund.....I only have $450......so sad can only buy the battery grip.....

 

[zoom3]

Very nice. However, I think some of those female models may be men

Yes. But I'm not sure which one. Anyway, don't spoil my dream la

 

[nik34]

K5 with FA 77 great combo u got there,the head shot of the model look great.:thumbsup:

 

[creampuff]

Bro, these are just terrific. I gong gong when I look at the ISO you were shooting at... :bigeyes:
K-5 with the FA Limiteds and hot models and experienced shooter equals stellar results. :thumbsup:

 

[fengwei]

Excellent results! Really love these.

K7 users, you got reason to upgrade your camera now!

 

[pinholecam]

OMG! Impressive indeed. The high ISO performance really brings new possibilities.
:thumbsup:

 

[kengoh]

Wow! Very nice, well exposed & clean at such high iso. :thumbsup:

 

[banana0ne]

Zoom3 your k-5 really is poisonous, not only noise control but also color...

 

[alanpotpot]

Was poisoned more by your FA 77 during the outing. I window shopped at OP earlier and a silver FA77 was there. Good thing it was AIV or else it would cause sleepless nights

 

[zoom3]

Was poisoned more by your FA 77 during the outing. I window shopped at OP earlier and a silver FA77 was there. Good thing it was AIV or else it would cause sleepless nights

You using the AIV reason as an excuse only la. Sooner or later, you gonna bite :bsmilie: And I think sooner the better because I can see the demand for the FA Ltds going crazy to exploit the IQ of the K-5

 

[zoom3]

K5 with FA 77 great combo u got there,the head shot of the model look great.:thumbsup:

Bro, these are just terrific. I gong gong when I look at the ISO you were shooting at... :bigeyes:
K-5 with the FA Limiteds and hot models and experienced shooter equals stellar results. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the compliments. I think in this instance, it's truly a case of having the right tools for the job at hand. I just point & shoot la. Still learning slowly slowly

BTW, pics 1 to 5 are shot with the FA31. I never knew it can produce pics like this. Certainly never did on my K7. I always thought it was an over rated lens.

 

[creampuff]

OK now I NEED to complete the FA Limited collection...

 

[airconvent]

I've seen a fair share of cat-walk-type photos and generally they reflect the challenging conditions of the lighting situation but these are stellar. Did you fire your built-in flash?
Also, for the closeup portraits, why did you continue to use ISO2500 when it is better lit?
Thanks for sharing.

 

[zoom3]

I've seen a fair share of cat-walk-type photos and generally they reflect the challenging conditions of the lighting situation but these are stellar. Did you fire your built-in flash?
Also, for the closeup portraits, why did you continue to use ISO2500 when it is better lit?
Thanks for sharing.

Thanks. Nope. No flash was used. All taken with just ambient lighting. That's why I was so amazed when I saw how the pics turned out.

For the close ups, the models were posing beside that very long escalator going straight up to the second floor. The light level there was much lower. I ended up with a number of blur shots (of very nice poses I must add - moments lost :cry: ) because the shutter speed was too slow. I should have upped the ISO to say 3200 but didn't do so in all the excitement. Lesson learnt !!

8. Here is a 10mm view of the Iluma. Shot from the top floor. ISO 1000

 

[armadillo]

thanks for sharing, very sharp indeed :thumbsup: