Live View AF K3ii

which contrast AF mode is best to use for general photography in live view? i assume PDAF is not an option as it appears Contrast AF is the only option and cannot be changed, or is there a way of magnifying the image prior to shooting using PDAF

PDAF uses the autofocus sensor in the base of the mirror box. It can only be used when using the viewfinder, because when in Live View the camera's mirror is up and no light is being recorded by the AF sensor.

In LV the main camera sensor uses CDAF which is slower, but more accurate. You probably have the option to use Face Detection also.

Thanks, the reason for the question was my new(to me)Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 seemed to focus more accurately in standard AF than LV even with focus peaking but sat down today and did some searching which ended up full camera reset with lens fitted , all now seems ok. A nice sharp lens

Mine is the same on the K-1, absolutely useless in Liveview but fine with normal AF.

There are a few comments on Pentaxforums from other users who also have the issue.

The K-70 had on sensor phase detection sensors, but I'm not sure of any other pentax cameras with this.
That leaves you with contrast detection only in live view.

Enabling focus peaking is only for assistance during live view manual focussing, it won't help AF performance in any way.