ABOUT PENTAX’S LONG STANDING AF ISSUE
From what I have read the new full frame camera will use the same autofocus module as the K-3II.
I will be interested to see how the k-3II performs with the new 70-200mm and 150-450mm. In recent times the lack of AF speed has been blamed on the lenses (especially SDM) and it has been hinted that the new lenses are optimised for the K-3II autofocus algorithms..
This thread on the US forum gives some interesting pointers on how to set up the K-3 for improved AF performance - set mine up that way (I hope!) and will see how it does at the Abingdon Air & Country Fair this weekend (a very cheap airshow BTW!)
Old model for sure but you are right in this has been an issue for a while.
Pentax doesn't offer the number of focus points that the others do, being roughly half that of Nikon at last check.
I too would like to hear from k-3 owners own this topic, especially the tracking concept. Active tracking allows you to target an object and then have the camera follow the object, even if off centre on the edge of the frame. Mirrorless cameras do this impressively well as they now feature on sensor phase detection autofocus.
I too would like to hear from k-3 owners own this topic, especially the tracking concept. Active tracking allows you to target an object and then have the camera follow the object, even if off centre on the edge of the frame.
Check the link I just posted.
Dave
I too would like to hear from k-3 owners own this topic, especially the tracking concept. Active tracking allows you to target an object and then have the camera follow the object, even if off centre on the edge of the frame.
Check the link I just posted.
Thanks, I posted this on the bus to work on a phone and missed your reply from a similar time.
This is the content I assume? (Thanks for the link):
I tried shooting BIF with AF Hold off, and the hit rate was terrible. I went to AF Hold LOW, but the camera still sometimes wandered off the subject in mid-sequence, so I went with MEDIUM on my last outing. After reading the Bumping Focus thread, I am definitely going with AF Hold HIGH now. I had only used AF High once, for a hockey game, and it was brilliant.
I also believe that for proper tracking, you need to use AF Expanded Area (i.e. not Auto AF 27 point, or Zone Auto 9 pt). "AF Expanded Area" allows you to pick the AF point, and tells the camera that whatever subject you initially focussed on, is to be tracked. I have had the best success with BIF and AF Expanded Area WIDE (27 points) for BIF, because they are very hard to follow, especially when close. I use AF Expanded Area SMALL (9 points) for sports.
so watch this space.
Dave
Will do.
"Originally posted by audiobomber Quote
Great shot. Now you see why I am so annoyed that DPR tested the K-3's AF with all the wrong settings, especially AF Hold OFF.
I'm not clear on which point selection you used, but I suspect it was Zone Auto 9 point? If so, please try AF Expanded Area SMALL next time. I prefer AF Expanded Area WIDE, but the main thing is, you want the Expanded Area active so the camera can track whichever point you initially selected.
What settings did you use for these? Like I said, I use Focus Priority, but I haven't tested the results from either.
16. First-Frame Action in AF-C
17. Action in AF-C Continuous shooting
AFC, expanded area 7. I think I will try bigger next time, but it worked quite well.
16 and 17 are focus priority.
I tried the standard dog running towards you test with single point and it didn't correct unless let go and pressed the AF button, this on 1.20. Earlier ones worked much better. I had found the expanded area not reliable for selecting the right point, but it seems much better now. I suspect that the hold 4 is the difference.
Read more at: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/293580-bif-comparison-da-300-vs-bigma-50-500-a-2.html#ixzz3YaVlmz8n"
As for very new K-3 II, it’s equipped with a GPS system instead of pop up flash .. Hallelujah ! ☺ What do the very pentaxian (particularly those concerned by bird and sport photography) think of these choices ? Who cares whether Ricoh offers the best IQ quality camera in the market, or equipped with GPS or other gadgets, if it doesn’t prove an appropriate AF system in order to focus the subject properly with an acceptable rapidity and precision?
Puts me in mind of:
Shop owner: Remarkable camera, the Pentax K3, Beautiful ergonomics!
Customer: The ergonomics don't enter into it. It can't focus.
Pentax K5
Pentax DA 18-55 Mk1, 50-200 (Samsung), 16-45, 55-300 Mk1, 35 f/2.4
Pentax MZ6 + FA28-90, FA50 f/1.4, M 50 f/1.7
Tamron 80-210mm & 28mm
Does it strike anyone that Ricoh could do us, AND itself, a BIG favour by posting on-line FAQs on how best to set the body up for various shooting scenarios - or have I missed something somewhere on their websites?
Hi John. Thanks for taking part in this forum post. Your posts deserve interest.
Nevertheless, I don’t think RICOH needs any FAQ sequence to realize the “BIG” AF concern with Pentax DSLR bodies .. as I put in the title, this a too long standing issue. And, no one refutes that.
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