PM sent to m42geo.

Just in case anyone is selling!

Can you confirm this is an "SMC" lens? Could you post a picture end on so that I can read the lens name directly?

thanks

John

AF-S. It's the shots missed because focus won't lock that annoy me most. Obviously AF-C will help, but my guess is that I would end up with lots of oof shots.

Thanks for all your replies!

I have now checked the lens focus with a simple focus test chart and made an adjustment of -2. It was slightly front focussing.

It occurs to me that if I am taking a picture of a person (not an obedient model) at close range, then there would be combined swaying between me and the object - even if seated.

I tested the lens in the sun today and all seemed well - it took a little while to focus, but the af indicator didn't flicker so I wasn't prevented from taking shots. So either (a) good light, or (b) a still subject sorted this out.

The af problem I am sensing may be just the swaying combined with the FA 43mm not focussing as fast as my DA 40, which I understand is a fast lens.

So the new request is: any tips on slightly moving subjects at close range in low light?

I realise this may be some kind of holy grail of focussing...

That's a good point. That amount of sway is quite possible. I'll also need to trigger inbetween heartbeats because my heart seems to make my body jump by about 1mm - perhaps enough to cause disturbance at these narrow depth-of-fields.

I'll print out a FF/BF test sheet and look at it tonight.

Do you think it is possible that front/back focus problems could cause the green focus indicator to flicker?

Thanks for the post. I should add that I am using a k20d (maybe the K5 is better) - and I am not limiting tips to equipment - technique also.

The green hexagon flickers a lot more with these lenses - so that I can't take the pictures (if in AF.S). This is especially true for quite close subjects (single portraits) in low light.

I am now the proud owner of the FA 31mm and FA 43mm limiteds (the latter very recently).

I have heard this mentioned before, but I have much more difficulty auto-focussing with these lenses than other lenses such as the DA 21mm and the DA 40mm.

Does anyone have any tips or workarounds to improve focus performance?

For instance, I have read that some people improve the FA 31mm flare performance by adding a stop down ring or filter rings as a makeshift hood. Would this also improve auto-focus?

I am looking to buy the 43mm and 77mm FA Limiteds, either for cash, or exchange (or part-exchange) for any of these lenses:

DA 40 limited
DA 70 limited
DA* 50-135
FA 50 1.4
DA* 16-50 (possibly)
DA 21 limited (possibly)

and I have a few less valuable lenses if you are interested.

Please message me to discuss possible exchange combinations!