Amazing AF

Hi all

As Pentax users we often feel like we're missing out in the AF department. Sorry to add another nail to the coffin, but the AF demonstrated in the video linked below is amazing, especially considering a 2x teleconverter is attached.

Come on Ricoh / Pentax, give us AF like this, not the half-hearted improvements on the K-3iii.

link

Cheers
David

I have a Sony a9 and 200-600mm for bird in flight/wildlife photography and honestly it's like night and day when it comes to autofocus/tracking/target acquisition compared to any Pentax I have had before (not tried the K3 III but from what I have read it's only a slight improvement).

Swings and roundabouts though because for everything else I prefer my K-1

I don't think you will get performance like that without the camera being mirrorless now though, I have had the Nikon D500 and that is probably the best DSLR AF wise and even that wasn't near the Sony.

David, they might if you would spend GBP7,297 (WEX prices) on the same like for like Pentax rig (if they manufactured it).

It's a mute issue at the end of the day. Pentax are not targeting such user requirements.

When I know I need better AF, I use other kit for the task at hand, for the other 99% of the time, I'll pick up a Pentax. (was that a choc biscuit slogan?)

Best regards

Yes, you're right, but I do think that Pentax are miles behind on the AF front, even when you compare like-for-like DSLR's with Nikon and Canon, so even though the video was of a mirrorless camera, I still think the point is relevant. I get really frustrated with front and back focus issues on my Pentax DSLR's, this is very difficult to correct with a zoom lens and I'm very self-critical of the images I take, so a lot end up in the bin.

Kind Regards
David

I will be shortly selling my new K3iii - I have given up on the autofocus front. The number of sharp images shooting birds in flight is ludicrously low. I listened to the hype surrounding the autofocus improvements on the K3iii, what a mistake, it's back to Sony for my bird photography.
I will retain my K5iis and K3 for general photography as my first love is Pentax.
I am so disappointed.

Worth a look at post #673.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/210-pentax-k-3-iii/422582-af-c-k-3iii-impres...

Reading other comments I also get the impression that optimum AF performance, as well as video, are linked to use of PLM lenses

It seems to be the missed shots that drives the frustration with Pentax DSLR cameras.
My purchase of two pentax lenses, da 200 and da 50 135 ended up with both sellers of whom i met in person leaving the pentax camera system because of this very complaint.
All i can say is that, when i miss a perfect focus, well i end up being critical of myself and my technique.
There was a time when Autofocus did not exist and it did not compromise the great Photography that was created , including fast moving situations like sport or wildlife

AF accuracy is certainly my #1 complaint with Pentax, but as many others, for most everything else it's the best available.

That’s a good looking set of images - but means nothing in isolation.
In Texas a couple of weeks ago I shot a sequence of Pelicans in flight that were in focus. It means nothing as that is the only occasion I have been able to say that.
The K3iii is a super camera to use, it’s handling, viewfinder etc.etc. are great, but for autofocus on subjects moving quickly - sorry to say, forget it!

Phographing a smallish white bird on a blue sky going from left to right could almost be done with a decent camera phone, certainly a decent compact ... that is not taxing on any camera produced in the last 15 years or so.

If it's correct that AF works much better with PLM lenses then Pentax need to bring out a new version of the 150-450mm asap.

Absolutely, I used the K3iii with the 150-450mm - but it's cost me well over £3000 to find that out! Not happy.

When considering AF tracking, shouldn't the performance of the camera and the lens be considered separately? Even the world's best body for tracking isn't going to do well if the lens doesn't let it (heavy focus group, long throw etc.). Similarly, even the world's best lens for tracking isn't going to do well if the body doesn't let it (poor tracking algorithm, sparse focus points etc.).

No comment from me on specific bodies and lenses. I haven't tried to track birds in flight for a long while (nothing to do with the Pentax kit), attempts at insects in flight are done with manual focus (a lot of luck involved, I doubt if even the world's best AF system could handle it) and as for macro... the last thing I want is for the subject to move!

I'll drop my head below the parapet now as I head for my hole...

Steve

Never had a problem with accuracy on my Pentax cameras compared with my Nikons, it was the speed that got me....

The D500 is brilliant, but the funny thing is, the speed it acquires depends on the lens - my older 80-400G focusses faster than the 200-500 because it is a 'premium' lens and the 200-400VR2 or 180-400/4 are faster still. So performance does come at a price.

Until the D500 came along with it's D5 AF system, Nikon AF was still pretty awesome (I had the D3 and D7100) but the cameras were hampered by very small buffers. Which meant that at air shows I'd have the K-5 or K-3 with me just to eke out those extra shots while the D3/D7100 buffer was being emptied. You can imagine that the D3 and D7100 were sold very quickly in 2016.

Having picked up the PLM, it's very clear that is the future of AF.
I do wonder if the old mechanical linkage has been the source of AF delays/bouncing to land on the accurate result. If you are fully after the fastest possible AF then we'll need to wait until Pentax releases other lenses with that technology.

Pentax did say that the new PLM motors can not work (at least not yet) with the longer heavier lenses.