K5 AF and tracking
Posted 24/04/2014 - 00:04
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Neither? At least not such a sweeping generalisation.
If you compare similar bodies and lenses I'm not sure the current Pentax models are dissimilar to their equivalent models from our competitors. If you compare to something very specialised like the 1D then then yes we lag far behind, but then so do the 'normal' bodies from Nikon and canon as well.
If you compare similar bodies and lenses I'm not sure the current Pentax models are dissimilar to their equivalent models from our competitors. If you compare to something very specialised like the 1D then then yes we lag far behind, but then so do the 'normal' bodies from Nikon and canon as well.
Posted 24/04/2014 - 00:48
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In the "focus equation", you must also take into account the lens. And, when it comes to SDM lenses, those are sloooooooooow to focus.
Some "LTD" lenses, using the motor that's in the camera body will focus almost as fast as Canon or Nikon lenses.
Some "LTD" lenses, using the motor that's in the camera body will focus almost as fast as Canon or Nikon lenses.
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Posted 24/04/2014 - 08:01
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Pentax is slow to focus due to lenses. However start shooting in low light and Pentax leaves other brands in the dust.
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Posted 24/04/2014 - 09:07
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cabstar wrote:
Pentax is slow to focus due to lenses. However start shooting in low light and Pentax leaves other brands in the dust.
Not with the K-5 MKI though. I have two K-5 MKI's and they are crap at AF in low light.Pentax is slow to focus due to lenses. However start shooting in low light and Pentax leaves other brands in the dust.
I've just bought a K-5IIs and it's low light AF is much better and confirms your K-5II experiences Gary.
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Posted 24/04/2014 - 09:21
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cabstar wrote:
Pentax is slow to focus due to lenses. However start shooting in low light and Pentax leaves other brands in the dust.
That does all depend on which lens you have. My Tokina 400/5.6 is much, much faster to focus on my K30 or K7 than my pal's Canon 400/5.6 L lens even though his is mounted on a 1D mk 1V. His is a lot quieter though (and sharper and tracks better and costs 4x as much).
Pentax is slow to focus due to lenses. However start shooting in low light and Pentax leaves other brands in the dust.
Posted 24/04/2014 - 10:52
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I've tried many marques and they all have their little quirks regarding AF.
Nikon and Canon are quite capable of being lethargic with some of their lenses. Depending on what you do I suppose, AF is really pretty good across the board.
Nikon and Canon are quite capable of being lethargic with some of their lenses. Depending on what you do I suppose, AF is really pretty good across the board.
Best regards, John
Posted 24/04/2014 - 11:00
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Given the meaning of "marque" is traditionally used to distinguish between a make of car it's always amusing when it's applied to a brand of Camera.
Gotta love the quirkiness of the English language
Gotta love the quirkiness of the English language
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Posted 24/04/2014 - 11:15
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In terms of lenses, I'd be looking the Pentax fit equivalents of the Nikon 35mm 1.8, the Tokina 11-16 2.8 (or Sigma 10-20 3.5), and then longer zoom.
Not entirely sure that these might be yet, but you'll notice from the list that I don't like variable aperture zooms.
Not entirely sure that these might be yet, but you'll notice from the list that I don't like variable aperture zooms.
Posted 24/04/2014 - 11:57
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Smeggypants wrote:
I've just bought a K-5IIs and it's low light AF is much better and confirms your K-5II experiences Gary.
I was of course referring to the later models cabstar wrote:
Pentax is slow to focus due to lenses. However start shooting in low light and Pentax leaves other brands in the dust.
Not with the K-5 MKI though. I have two K-5 MKI's and they are crap at AF in low light.Pentax is slow to focus due to lenses. However start shooting in low light and Pentax leaves other brands in the dust.
I've just bought a K-5IIs and it's low light AF is much better and confirms your K-5II experiences Gary.
gwing wrote:
Again I was referring directly to Pentax branded lenses in particular the da*
cabstar wrote:
Pentax is slow to focus due to lenses. However start shooting in low light and Pentax leaves other brands in the dust.
That does all depend on which lens you have. My Tokina 400/5.6 is much, much faster to focus on my K30 or K7 than my pal's Canon 400/5.6 L lens even though his is mounted on a 1D mk 1V. His is a lot quieter though (and sharper and tracks better and costs 4x as much).Pentax is slow to focus due to lenses. However start shooting in low light and Pentax leaves other brands in the dust.
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Posted 24/04/2014 - 12:26
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gwing wrote:
That does all depend on which lens you have. My Tokina 400/5.6 is much, much faster to focus on my K30 or K7 than my pal's Canon 400/5.6 L lens even though his is mounted on a 1D mk 1V. His is a lot quieter though (and sharper and tracks better and costs 4x as much).
That surprises me as I have the 400mm 5.6 for my 7D and it focuses much faster than any Pentax lens I have or have had. (and that includes a Tokina 400mm f5.6). Infact the 400mm is the favourite lens of many Canon BIF and airshow shooters purely because of it's low(ish) price, af speed and sharpness wide open.That does all depend on which lens you have. My Tokina 400/5.6 is much, much faster to focus on my K30 or K7 than my pal's Canon 400/5.6 L lens even though his is mounted on a 1D mk 1V. His is a lot quieter though (and sharper and tracks better and costs 4x as much).
It's a shame Ricoh don't reissue the FA* 400mm 5.6 with a DC motor ... that would be nice.
Posted 27/04/2014 - 18:42
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I have tried that AF tracking on my K10D and it does not work very well -- it always 'back focuses' -- I took some at the annual Half Marathon and Fun Run and the buildings in the background are much sharper than the moving runners -- I used to get much better results with manual focus and my film cameras so I use manual focus now.
Been a member of Pentax Club since the Ron Spillman era! Got COMPUTERISED at last - DIGITISED?
Taken the PLUNGE - BUT FILM STILL RULES !!!
Taken the PLUNGE - BUT FILM STILL RULES !!!
Posted 27/04/2014 - 21:49
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I've tried the DA55-mm for birds in flight and it's worse than useless, I've tried all combinations of focus settings too.
Tried again today, took around thirty shots....NOT ONE SHARP PHOTO!!!
Is it the camera (K5) or the lens........OR ME?
Tried again today, took around thirty shots....NOT ONE SHARP PHOTO!!!
Is it the camera (K5) or the lens........OR ME?
Regards,
Michael
Michael
Posted 27/04/2014 - 22:04
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Sorry Mike,
the DA55-300mm. I've got a couple of dodgy keys on my laptop.
This is the 'best' of today's shots,
1000th @ f8
the DA55-300mm. I've got a couple of dodgy keys on my laptop.
This is the 'best' of today's shots,
1000th @ f8
Regards,
Michael
Michael
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37 posts
12 years
When people say that the AF tracking is bad on the Pentax compared to Nikon/Canon, is it just the 3D (dynamic)tracking that's poor or is it the also the single point continuous AF too?
I've never used the 3D tracking so not too fussed about that but I do occasionally use single point continuous AF.
Thanks.