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vlad2304 · 10-31-2012, 06:49 PM

Not long ago I've made a bold (foolish?) move and changed my Olympus OMD EM5 with 12-50 for Pentax K5 with 18-55WR and 55-300.

While I like how 55-300 works, there is definitely a problem with 18-55: all the pictures made at the long end and with focusing to far away objects are blurry.
I don't expect razor sharp images from this budget lens but remember when I had Pentax KR with 18-55AL I did not have this problem.
I tried to play with auto focus adjustment in menu but it seems that it does not have any significant impact.

The photos of close ups (say, up to 5 m) look just fine and I really like them.

I will appreciate any thoughts before I take the camera to repair shop as it is still under warranty.

Adam · 10-31-2012, 07:01 PM

Are you able to focus the lens manually to infinity? If not, then there's probably nothing wrong with the camera and you should exchange the lens.

If so, then both your lens and your camera may need to be adjusted in a repair shop in order to get the AF to work properly. Contrary to popular belief, the amount of FF/BF correction needed depends on not only the lens, but also the camera. If the misalignment is big enough, then they may just replace the lens for you.

vlad2304 · 10-31-2012, 08:16 PM

Thank you!!

calsan · 10-31-2012, 10:48 PM

Might be haze, given the problem is far away objects. Air isn't a vacuum and if the lens is sharp on objects say 10m away, then this could be the issue.
Try shooting early morning before the ground heats up.

Marc Sabatella · 11-03-2012, 08:48 PM

As always, sample pictures will be necessary to say whether the problem is the lens, the camera, your technique, or your expectations.

vlad2304 · 11-04-2012, 05:40 AM

Marc, you are right, I have downloaded three pics made from my window:

https://plus.google.com/photos/107828361623258805241/albums/5806936093289639745

Maybe my expectations were too high...

elliott · 11-04-2012, 05:51 AM

Originally posted by vlad2304

Marc, you are right, I have downloaded three pics made from my window:

https://plus.google.com/photos/107828361623258805241/albums/5806936093289639745

Maybe my expectations were too high...

The link doesn't seem to work, I get a 403 error.

vlad2304 · 11-04-2012, 05:53 AM

Please, try again. I allowed access to everybody.

MPrince · 11-04-2012, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by vlad2304

Marc, you are right, I have downloaded three pics made from my window:

https://plus.google.com/photos/107828361623258805241/albums/5806936093289639745

Maybe my expectations were too high...

Are you saying you shot these through window glass?

vlad2304 · 11-04-2012, 06:05 AM

No, I've opened the window.

elliott · 11-04-2012, 06:07 AM

I'm just on my tablet now, but from what I see it did pretty well considering the conditions, you're not going to get a nice high contrast image on a day like that. It seems to be focused at infinity, I'd say your body and lens are just fine. Maybe someone else will see something that I missed though.

vlad2304 · 11-04-2012, 07:28 AM

I've deleted those files from my PC and they were also deleted from the web.
I thank all for comments, it looks like I was too demanding.

Today I went to Moscow center and made some test shots that I'd like to share:

https://plus.google.com/photos/107828361623258805241/albums/5806963145094319857

It's Old Arbat street and its surroundings.

**newmikey** · 11-04-2012, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by vlad2304

I tried to play with auto focus adjustment in menu but it seems that it does not have any significant impact.

This should be a huge NONO to everybody: focus adjustment is done on a suitable setup, with focus test-chart or -rig, tripod and good lighting. The last person we had on here who tried to adjust focus settings while at a football game got himself into trouble real fast.

10-31-2012, 06:49 PM	#1
vlad2304 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Moscow Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 29	Focus problem with 18-55WR on K5 Not long ago I've made a bold (foolish?) move and changed my Olympus OMD EM5 with 12-50 for Pentax K5 with 18-55WR and 55-300. While I like how 55-300 works, there is definitely a problem with 18-55: all the pictures made at the long end and with focusing to far away objects are blurry. I don't expect razor sharp images from this budget lens but remember when I had Pentax KR with 18-55AL I did not have this problem. I tried to play with auto focus adjustment in menu but it seems that it does not have any significant impact. The photos of close ups (say, up to 5 m) look just fine and I really like them. I will appreciate any thoughts before I take the camera to repair shop as it is still under warranty.

10-31-2012, 07:01 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Are you able to focus the lens manually to infinity? If not, then there's probably nothing wrong with the camera and you should exchange the lens. If so, then both your lens and your camera may need to be adjusted in a repair shop in order to get the AF to work properly. Contrary to popular belief, the amount of FF/BF correction needed depends on not only the lens, but also the camera. If the misalignment is big enough, then they may just replace the lens for you. 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:

11-04-2012, 07:28 AM	#12
vlad2304 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Moscow Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 29 Original Poster	I've deleted those files from my PC and they were also deleted from the web. I thank all for comments, it looks like I was too demanding. Today I went to Moscow center and made some test shots that I'd like to share: https://plus.google.com/photos/107828361623258805241/albums/5806963145094319857 It's Old Arbat street and its surroundings. Last edited by vlad2304; 11-04-2012 at 07:39 AM.

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10-31-2012, 08:16 PM	#3
vlad2304 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Moscow Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 29 Original Poster	Thank you!!

10-31-2012, 10:48 PM	#4
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,549	Might be haze, given the problem is far away objects. Air isn't a vacuum and if the lens is sharp on objects say 10m away, then this could be the issue. Try shooting early morning before the ground heats up.

11-03-2012, 08:48 PM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	As always, sample pictures will be necessary to say whether the problem is the lens, the camera, your technique, or your expectations.

11-04-2012, 05:40 AM	#6
vlad2304 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Moscow Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 29 Original Poster	Marc, you are right, I have downloaded three pics made from my window: https://plus.google.com/photos/107828361623258805241/albums/5806936093289639745 Maybe my expectations were too high...

11-04-2012, 05:51 AM	#7
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by vlad2304 Marc, you are right, I have downloaded three pics made from my window: https://plus.google.com/photos/107828361623258805241/albums/5806936093289639745 Maybe my expectations were too high... The link doesn't seem to work, I get a 403 error.

11-04-2012, 05:53 AM	#8
vlad2304 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Moscow Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 29 Original Poster	Please, try again. I allowed access to everybody.

11-04-2012, 06:03 AM	#9
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	Originally posted by vlad2304 Marc, you are right, I have downloaded three pics made from my window: https://plus.google.com/photos/107828361623258805241/albums/5806936093289639745 Maybe my expectations were too high... Are you saying you shot these through window glass?

11-04-2012, 06:05 AM	#10
vlad2304 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Moscow Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 29 Original Poster	No, I've opened the window.

11-04-2012, 06:07 AM	#11
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	I'm just on my tablet now, but from what I see it did pretty well considering the conditions, you're not going to get a nice high contrast image on a day like that. It seems to be focused at infinity, I'd say your body and lens are just fine. Maybe someone else will see something that I missed though.

11-04-2012, 07:46 AM	#13
newmikey Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,289	Originally posted by vlad2304 I tried to play with auto focus adjustment in menu but it seems that it does not have any significant impact. This should be a huge NONO to everybody: focus adjustment is done on a suitable setup, with focus test-chart or -rig, tripod and good lighting. The last person we had on here who tried to adjust focus settings while at a football game got himself into trouble real fast.

Focus problem with 18-55WR on K5

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