Losing my Faith Really need help

I've just come back from holiday (Orlando) where the weather was really good and bright but my K5 is still having focusing trouble.

I've looked at fine tuning to lenses but I'm really lost.

Is there a member close to me (Coventry) that would kindly take me under there wing and help my set up my 3 lenses.

I will travel and pay for the help
I'm slowly losing faith in this camera and would pick up my K20 rather than the K5

Im sorry to hear that. I too have a K5 but have always been happy with its output....until i calibrated the lenses using the in camera AF tuning!

An absolute revelation, the most surprising thing, apart from a step up in sharpness and clarity was that all the lenses were AF tuned to the same amount!

I wish you were nearer to me and i would gladly help

I would start by resetting factory defaults. If you've got lost making adjustments, then that's probably the best place to start.

Then check if all is well with your lenses on the K20D.

Then just go out and about taking pictures with the K-5, normally, without worrying about whether the focusing is spot on or not. When you view them on the computer see if you have sharp pictures. If you do, then forget it and enjoy it. If not, then there may be a fault or a misalignment. It's unlikely that three lenses would be so far out as to cause a problem with, let's say, landscapes shot at f/8 or f/11.

If there is still a problem, then post some images and we can have a look ourselves.

It may be that someone around Coventry could have a look, I would if I was a whole lot closer, but in any event starting how I've outlined might start unravelling the problem.

I had two K5 bodies, the first was excellent which I sold then second shocking despite fine tuning the AF.
All I would say is don't give up like I did see if you can get the AF sorted.
Good luck.

It's actually very simple to check and tune the AF on lenses and nothing to sweat about.

Custom menu #26

1] Select 'ON'

2] hit 'right arrow' and then 'down arrow' to select "APPLY ONE"

3] You'll see a scale from -10 -> 0 -> +10

4] this is where you adjust the setting


In good daylight take some pics at widest aperture of something at an angle, A4 sheet of text is a good example, and remember what you focussed on. preview the image in care and magnify and see if it's back focussing or front focussing. If it's back focussing try a plus setting, if it's front focussing try a minus setting. go back and take another pic and check and repeat until you have the correct setting

The focussing on the K-5 can be inconsistent so always take a few pics to confirm.

I can take 20 or 30 pics calibrating each of my lenses. It only takes 10 minutes per lens.


Also make sure you have at least V1.03 firmware installed as early K-5shad AF problems, especially in low light that V1.03 addressed to a large extent


It really is in the lap of the gods as to which lenses need which settings on each camera. I had a K10D, K20D and currently have two K5s and a K-5IIs and some lenses needed different settings on all 5 cameras.

How about giving this a try link

Haven't used it personally, but might be worth a go

Do a google search for the many adjusting tools available, might find one that floats your boat.

They usually come with comprehensive instructions, there is an automatic software method caled Reikan Focal, but not sure if it works with Pentax cameras

There's no need for "adjusting tools"

It's simply a case of taking pictures and seeing if they front or back focus or not.

You have a pm.

Regards - Steve