how to permanently adjust AF on a lens ?

aurele · 04-29-2012, 06:30 AM

Hi !

I'm the proud owner of a DA*55, but i'm a bit ... well, let's say it annoyed by a thing : front focus.

I got a real bargain on it because of the FF.

on the K-x i need to use a +180µm adjust (it's heavy ...) to get perfectly pin sharp pictures.

I was wondering if anyone know a way to permantly adjust the DA* so i would not need to adjust AF on the body each time i change lens ?

Either way i will send it to repair in June.

Thanks folks !

Anvh · 04-29-2012, 07:58 AM

Yes there is, send it to pentax.

aurele · 04-29-2012, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by Anvh

Yes there is, send it to pentax.

i hoped something like a "DIY" would exist. I will send it to Pentax then

Thx for the answer !

Anvh · 04-29-2012, 09:08 AM

Buy a K5, that would be a do it your self solution but don't think that's an answer you're looking for.

You might do well also sending in your other lenses, they will calibrate everything then for you.
Not sure about the price...

aurele · 04-29-2012, 09:37 AM

my other lenses are fine, i use a +10 µm adjust.

And the K5 is something i'm really thinking of, specially since i use my DSLR more and more outside, for climbing session. my k-x doesn't like it very much BTW ...

Adjsut might cost me around 200€ i'm afraid

GabrielFFontes · 04-29-2012, 11:29 AM

200€, yikes...

Adam · 04-29-2012, 11:37 AM

On the K-r/K-5/K-7 the camera will remember the adjustments you make.

See this guide:
Fixing Front and Back Focus - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

Might be easier to hang on to the lens and just upgrade your body when the time is right. FF on primes isn't as big of a deal as it would be on a zoom.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

aurele · 04-29-2012, 02:08 PM

Can the K-5 handle a +180µm in adjustments ?

creampuff · 04-29-2012, 02:51 PM

I sent my DA* 55mm with my K-5 to Pentax Japan... free. They adjusted the camera, not the lens.

GabrielFFontes · 04-29-2012, 03:14 PM

The K-5/K-r can't handle +180µm, but, in my case, i did something :
went in debug mode and set it to -60µm, and then if i'm in bright light i leave the menu adjust at +6, so it equals 0, and if i'm in tungsten i set it to -10, so it equals -160µm...simple

DaveHolmes · 04-29-2012, 04:32 PM

I think I must be really lucky...

All my AF lenses appear to focus correctly with no adjustment (which is doublely lucky as I have no idea how to make +/- adjustments on the K-x)... I thought my Tamron 17-50 was front focusing when I first got it but with practice the issue seemed to resolve itself...

How often do most folk actually need to make adjustments in camera for front/back focusing?

GabrielFFontes · 04-29-2012, 04:48 PM

I only need adjustment on my SMC M 50mm 1.7. I can trust on the focus confirmation now even under tungsten light! It's usable even at 1.7! Perfect focus everytime...maybe i don't even need a split screen

everydaylife · 04-29-2012, 06:01 PM

Just one question regarding focus adjustment. Has anyone experienced a difference in focus accuracy depending on aperture. For example if a fast lens is adjusted to be spot on wide open and then when stopped down could it be off focus?

GabrielFFontes · 04-29-2012, 06:56 PM

Nop, aperture doesn't affect that..

Abbazz · 04-29-2012, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by everydaylife

Just one question regarding focus adjustment. Has anyone experienced a difference in focus accuracy depending on aperture. For example if a fast lens is adjusted to be spot on wide open and then when stopped down could it be off focus?

Yes, it is called focus shift and it happens often with fast lenses, as a consequence of spherical aberration: What is Focus Shift?

Cheers!

Abbazz

04-29-2012, 06:30 AM	#1
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	how to permanently adjust AF on a lens ? Hi ! I'm the proud owner of a DA55, but i'm a bit ... well, let's say it annoyed by a thing : front focus. I got a real bargain on it because of the FF. on the K-x i need to use a +180µm adjust (it's heavy ...) to get perfectly pin sharp pictures. I was wondering if anyone know a way to permantly adjust the DA so i would not need to adjust AF on the body each time i change lens ? Either way i will send it to repair in June. Thanks folks !

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04-29-2012, 07:58 AM	#2
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Yes there is, send it to pentax.

04-29-2012, 08:48 AM	#3
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by Anvh Yes there is, send it to pentax. i hoped something like a "DIY" would exist. I will send it to Pentax then Thx for the answer !

04-29-2012, 09:08 AM	#4
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Buy a K5, that would be a do it your self solution but don't think that's an answer you're looking for. You might do well also sending in your other lenses, they will calibrate everything then for you. Not sure about the price...

04-29-2012, 09:37 AM	#5
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217 Original Poster	my other lenses are fine, i use a +10 µm adjust. And the K5 is something i'm really thinking of, specially since i use my DSLR more and more outside, for climbing session. my k-x doesn't like it very much BTW ... Adjsut might cost me around 200€ i'm afraid

04-29-2012, 11:29 AM	#6
GabrielFFontes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Posts: 647	200€, yikes...

04-29-2012, 11:37 AM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	On the K-r/K-5/K-7 the camera will remember the adjustments you make. See this guide: Fixing Front and Back Focus - Introduction - PentaxForums.com Might be easier to hang on to the lens and just upgrade your body when the time is right. FF on primes isn't as big of a deal as it would be on a zoom. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

04-29-2012, 02:08 PM	#8
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217 Original Poster	Can the K-5 handle a +180µm in adjustments ?

04-29-2012, 02:51 PM	#9
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	I sent my DA* 55mm with my K-5 to Pentax Japan... free. They adjusted the camera, not the lens.

04-29-2012, 03:14 PM	#10
GabrielFFontes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Posts: 647	The K-5/K-r can't handle +180µm, but, in my case, i did something : went in debug mode and set it to -60µm, and then if i'm in bright light i leave the menu adjust at +6, so it equals 0, and if i'm in tungsten i set it to -10, so it equals -160µm...simple

04-29-2012, 04:32 PM	#11
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	I think I must be really lucky... All my AF lenses appear to focus correctly with no adjustment (which is doublely lucky as I have no idea how to make +/- adjustments on the K-x)... I thought my Tamron 17-50 was front focusing when I first got it but with practice the issue seemed to resolve itself... How often do most folk actually need to make adjustments in camera for front/back focusing?

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04-29-2012, 04:48 PM	#12
GabrielFFontes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Posts: 647	I only need adjustment on my SMC M 50mm 1.7. I can trust on the focus confirmation now even under tungsten light! It's usable even at 1.7! Perfect focus everytime...maybe i don't even need a split screen

04-29-2012, 06:01 PM	#13
everydaylife Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 268	Just one question regarding focus adjustment. Has anyone experienced a difference in focus accuracy depending on aperture. For example if a fast lens is adjusted to be spot on wide open and then when stopped down could it be off focus?

04-29-2012, 06:56 PM	#14
GabrielFFontes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Posts: 647	Nop, aperture doesn't affect that..

04-29-2012, 11:53 PM	#15
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	Originally posted by everydaylife Just one question regarding focus adjustment. Has anyone experienced a difference in focus accuracy depending on aperture. For example if a fast lens is adjusted to be spot on wide open and then when stopped down could it be off focus? Yes, it is called focus shift and it happens often with fast lenses, as a consequence of spherical aberration: What is Focus Shift? Cheers! Abbazz