John, it was set on centre point, or rather single point, it may have been on one of the other focus points but the camera was definitely on single point.

On the day I was using a Sigma 17-50mm 2.8 which I have had mixed results with and also a Tamron 70-300mm f4, which I know isn't a great lens but I am holding off on investing in a replacement in that range until I decide if I am sticking with Pentax or not. I had similar problems with both lenses.

Hi Fletcher8, thanks for your reply, I was referring to other posts on here where users have stated that they have had to return their K-5s due to an AF problem. One guy said he was on his 4th K-5 before it was fixed. I have updated my firmware when I bought the camera, about 2 months ago.

One problem I have is if the background is bright but the subject is dark such as in this photo below. I have the focus point on the model on a point it would normally focus on but it just goes from one extreme to the other on the focus motor without ever looking like locking on. In this case I was using a fill flash so the model was darker than you see here - but why if it was too dark didn't the focus adjust light kick in? Is it because the camera thinks than the scene is bright because of the background? The focus light comes on if all the scene is dark, yet not if the bit I am trying to focus on is dark and the rest bright. In the end I had to manually focus this shot.





The image below is the most frustrating - it wasn't even that dark, there is no flash on this image, just the constant lighting that was being used for the video shoot. This is one of the only images I got that was sharp, I was very disappointed with the K-5 in this instance.

I don't usually take the photo John as the blooming thing won't lock on, there are some where I have taken the pic and they are still off focus even though I got the 'beep' and red light. I will post one shortly.

I have had my K-5 for a couple of months now and I am far from happy with its focusing especially in low light.

I have heard that some K-5s have an issue with this and users have returned their cameras for exchange. Is there a test that I can do to see if my camera has that problem, or whether it is just the poor focusing of the K-5 in general?

Also - are the Pentax lenses that have the focus motor built into them better at focusing than the other type. I don't mean quicker, I just mean will they overcome the low light focus problem?

Thanks, Jay.

Sorry, I believe that it is this lens and does have auto focus etc

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/showproduct.php?product=208&cat=44

A mate of mine recently bought a K10D that came with the kit lens and also the seller kindly threw in a SMC 70-200MM free of charge.

The lens worked fine for a few days but now when he attaches it to the camera it won't take a shot and the "F" has the two dashes after it like it would with a manual lens. It still works fine with the kit lens.

Any ideas?

What is it about Pentax users that makes them warm, friendly, geeky, freaks?

Before I signed up here I used another forum where you seemed to be always up against an ego in pretty much all posters. The Nikon and Canon fanboys always seem to be up their own ****

I don't care whose camera is better, I just love photography and I love how Pentax users seem to be very technically astute and always bending over backwards to help.

I love it here - even though I don't post much, I read everything!

What do you love about Pentax users?

I've ordered it

Lol. What ebook?

The last one is a great photo.