Ist DS Re-composition autofocusing problem

I just came back from holidays and the DS really annoyed me during the time.

The problem is with shutter-release button and auto-focusing. When I got focus on a foreground object (by pressing the shutter release halfway) and hearing the beep, and moved the camera so that I can shoot with the background (but still focused on the foreground object), when I take the shot, the camera then refocuses on the background scenery leaving the foreground blurred. This was so annoying!!!! It happened no matter whether I was on the Green Mode, Smiley Face, Landscape, Portrait, Moving Object. As long as it was on Autofocus (AF) this problem happened.

I resorted to having my left thumb on the MF/AF switch so that if it happened, I'd get focus on the foreground again and then flick it to MF mode. I also resorted to using the OK button to focus and had no proglems taking the shot once I re-orientated.

However, the problem of "re-focusing" when it shouldn't should not even be an issue with Pentax. Even page 125-126 of the manual talks about re-composition. What's wrong with this camera!!???? I upgraded the firmware to 1.02 months ago. Is there a problem with this firmware ?? Is there a problem with the shutter button ??

I've cleaned the contacts for the lenses and I've got a DL also which doesn't show this problem. I've even changed lenses and still the same problem on the DS. I've reset all Custom settings....still no go.

Another problem is taking shots at low-light using Autofocus (AF). When I get focus take take the shot, it hesitates to take it...it takes it about 1 second later which is too late by then. I've seen this problem on many forums.

Apart from these two problems (recomposition autofocusing and hesitation), I don't experience these problems when in Manual Focus (MF Mode).

I was using Energiser CRV3s...new ones too. Your advise and comments welcome.

You could check that you have set the custom functions to centre spot autofocus, otherwise the camera will choose one of the autofocus points and this will change when you recompose. Very annoying and one of the first things to reset! With centre point autofocus you just point the camera at the target, half press the shutter release to lock the focus, keep it half pressed whilst you recompose and then fully press the release to take the shot.

When focusing in low light it will take all cameras longer - again a half press on the shutter release will start autofocusing and then when focused you can complete the action to take the picture. Again, make sure the custom settings are appropriate - I have the metering lock and autofocus lock set to the same point, for example.

Hi John, yes I've always had the camera on centre focus, but when I recompose while still keeping the shutter-release half depressed, once I press the button, it again re-focuses on the centre.

As for the low-light situation, I'm not fussed about how long it takes the camera to get focus....I know that's a weakness of the DS/DL. I am annoyed though that once I've got focus-lock, when I want to take the shot, it doesn't want to shoot....I have to keep my finger pressed and then it'll take the shot a second later.

I've also locked the exposure with the focus and still no go. I've even reset all settings to factory setting....even that didn't help.

All these problems only happen when I'm on Autofocus mode.

Took the camera for service a week or so after my original post. They had to replace the sub PC board and the flash PC board.

Tested the camera just now and all seem to be ok.

Thanks for the update Teal, let's hope yours is an isolated case and I trust the repair was under warranty or at least covered by the fact that it was an unusual case.

I am having this problem too with my *ist DS and am wondering where the settings are for spot / centre focusing?

I also have a *ist D and this has never been an issue.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

In the camera menus you will find the settings you need - the instruction book lists them all, and it is well worth reading so you can see what the possibilities are.

Personally I use centre spot focusing, which enables me to lock on to any subject I want to without any problem.