OOF using DA*16-50

My DA*16-50 doesn't appear to be focusing at all, I have included a link to a photo taken this morning and would like your expert opinion on whether it's me or the ff/bf issue people have been talking about with their K-5s. The shot was taken on Program mode and the camera pointed at the writing on the side of a pop bottle. The camera automatically opted for f2.8 and a shutter speed of 1/40, center focusing but on close inspection nothing is in focus. I admit there may be a little camera shake but this is OOF blur not CS blur, also there is an alarming amount of CA at 2.8. I have repeated the test on a tripod with the same result, with Live View it is marginally better but considering the price of the lens I would expect it to be perfect. Is there anything I can do to put it right?

looks like you're focusing to the right of centre !? You have got focus select set to Centre ?? right !?

Yes focus is set to centre

Check the EXIF data using PhotoMe and check that the SR system had locked to minimise camera shake.

Have you sharpened the image at all in PP? Most, if not all, images need some sharpening.

Take the same or similar shot again using a smaller aperture and faster shutter speed. You'll probably have to increase the ISO to compensate, or use flash.

If that's OK, keep the higher shutter speed and open up the aperture to f2.8 and try again.

The lens was pointed at the writing on the bottle, focus confirmation beep was heard and shot fired. So for a £700+ lens I kind of expect the picture to be sharp and in focus. As stated earlier it was repeated on a tripod with a wireless trigger and the same result (blurred and oof). The same shot was taken with a Pentax A 50mm and a DA 55-300 and both faired better...much better.

Looks like a back focus issue- to bring the focus point closer use rear e-dial (turn to the right) to adjust to a closer focus position. Remember to use apply one not apply all. ( I think). Cheers, Gary
(Select 26. AF Fine Adjustment in Custom setting 4)

Thanks Gary, I've now taken some shots and cropped to the focus point the final 3 using your advice.
Focus achieved by pressing the shutter half way except while using LV when the AF button was used.

1. 16-50 @ 50mm through viewfinder



2. 16-50 @ 50mm using Live View



3. SMC Pentax A 50mm f1.7 @ f2.5



4. 55-300 @ 55mm through viewfinder



5. 16-50 using 0 AF adjust



6. 16-50 using +5 AF adjust



7. 16-50 using +10 AF adjust



verdict ... still very poor for a £700 DA* lens!
Even adding +10 AF adjust it gets nowhere near as accurate a result as the 55-300
If anyone has any ideas on what to do I would be eternally grateful as I have a family function to photograph next weekend (no, not that one!)
and I want to be sure the photos are sharp and in focus.

Can we assume you used manual focus for #1 ?

If so, it is badly out of focus. As far as I know, the AF adjustments made for the later shots have no effect when using manual focus.

Is your diopter adjusted correctly?

To adjust it, remove the lens and fit a translucent body cap if you have one, look through the viewfinder at a bright object like a white wall or cloudy sky. Adjust the diopter until the guide lines in the viewfinder are sharp. Re fit the lens and try another manual focus shot as in #1 above.

If the shots are still out of focus, I'd return the lens for a replacement.

All shots apart from the one with the Pentax A 50mm were auto focus, the conformation beep was heard before the shot was fired, all shots were taken on a tripod using a wireless remote. Also apart from the 50mm with all shots the focus ring was moved to put the lens out of focus and the shutter button half pressed for AF to correct as required once the conformation beep heard the shots were taken with the remote. With the 50mm, as AF was selected it will not fire until the focus ring is turned and focus is achieved (catch in focus) again with a conformation beep.

As for returning the lens, it was provided by my insurance as I bounced the previous one, how do I stand with that?

I think that question is best put to your insurers or Pentax directly.

We had this happen to ours the day before we shot our friends wedding! Just suddenly stopped focusing correctly several months after purchase.

We got to SRS early, rang them when we got there, they opened early for us, quick test confirmed the issue, grabbed a new one of the shelf, quick test of new lens, fine, Chris said 'go, we'll sort the paperwork out later', jumped in the car and was out of Watford by 9am!

Know that little story doesn't really help, but it does show the lens is probably faulty and should be sorted with no issues. Having a healthy relationship with your supplier can be a life saver too!

Now that sounds like a plan, give me a call/text Gareth and we will get something arranged, cheers buddy.