How to know if my K-5iis is getting optimal focus?

Kurt Euler · 03-24-2013, 09:47 PM

All-

Please advise if there's a way to know if one's camera/lenses are producing the sharpest possible pictures. Recently I've been making practice shots from my new K-5iis using the Pentax 18-55mm Zoom and the Pentax 50mm f1.4. I'm finding that with pictures taken with either lens, it is rare that I can zoom in to a picture (using the one mouse click method on an image in Windows Lightroom) and see edges as sharp as a screen pixel. Perhaps this is more than I can expect -- ie, that when I do this zoom, it could be pushing beyond the pixel density of the camera's sensor. (The monitor is 1680 x 1050). But it would be nice to know somehoe that the system is performing at optimum level.
Related: Should I be seeing a big difference between the clarity of shots taken with the the 18-55mm zoom vs the 50 mm f1.4? When I set the zoom at approx 50mm, I'm very hard put to see a difference in sharpness. The f1.4 is certainly faster in low light, but as for sharpness, I'm not so sure.

Much obliged in advance for your comments.

-Kurt

Adam · 03-24-2013, 09:50 PM

1. Yes, see this article: Fixing Front and Back Focus - Introduction - PentaxForums.com
2. Yes, the 50mm is going to be much sharper, and there will also be less distortion. Try them both at the same aperture (i.e. F4 or F5.6) and you'll see the difference.

kh1234567890 · 03-25-2013, 02:04 AM

Before you start tweaking, put the camera on a tripod and focus manually in expanded live view. Shoot a page of fine newsprint. Then pixel-peep.

Kurt Euler · 03-25-2013, 08:03 PM

Ok. thanks for the ideas!

Kurt Euler · 03-25-2013, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

Before you start tweaking, put the camera on a tripod and focus manually in expanded live view. Shoot a page of fine newsprint. Then pixel-peep.

kh1234567890, what do you mean by "expanded live view"? I can find "live view" in the manual, but not "expanded live view". Thanks. -Kurt

**interested_observer** · 03-25-2013, 09:22 PM

Originally posted by Kurt Euler

kh1234567890, what do you mean by "expanded live view"? I can find "live view" in the manual, but not "expanded live view". Thanks. -Kurt

Evening, While in LiveView, push "info" button and you will go X2, push it again and you get x4, again for x6. You can move around the frame with the arrow keys. In this way you can "digitally zoom in", to an area of the frame and adjust the fine focus of an object to get what you desire.

derekkite · 03-25-2013, 09:39 PM

What I would do is start shooting for real with what you have. There are quirks to every focus system, and the best way to find them is to shoot. There are situations where the SR causes softness. At one point you may find that you just can't get what you want out of a lens, and then it is worth checking. Depending on your experience, it may be a matter of days or a few weeks.

Kurt Euler · 03-25-2013, 09:39 PM

I see. Thanks much!

03-24-2013, 09:47 PM	#1
Kurt Euler New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California Posts: 23	How to know if my K-5iis is getting optimal focus? All- Please advise if there's a way to know if one's camera/lenses are producing the sharpest possible pictures. Recently I've been making practice shots from my new K-5iis using the Pentax 18-55mm Zoom and the Pentax 50mm f1.4. I'm finding that with pictures taken with either lens, it is rare that I can zoom in to a picture (using the one mouse click method on an image in Windows Lightroom) and see edges as sharp as a screen pixel. Perhaps this is more than I can expect -- ie, that when I do this zoom, it could be pushing beyond the pixel density of the camera's sensor. (The monitor is 1680 x 1050). But it would be nice to know somehoe that the system is performing at optimum level. Related: Should I be seeing a big difference between the clarity of shots taken with the the 18-55mm zoom vs the 50 mm f1.4? When I set the zoom at approx 50mm, I'm very hard put to see a difference in sharpness. The f1.4 is certainly faster in low light, but as for sharpness, I'm not so sure. Much obliged in advance for your comments. -Kurt

03-24-2013, 09:50 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	1. Yes, see this article: Fixing Front and Back Focus - Introduction - PentaxForums.com 2. Yes, the 50mm is going to be much sharper, and there will also be less distortion. Try them both at the same aperture (i.e. F4 or F5.6) and you'll see the difference. 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:

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03-25-2013, 02:04 AM	#3
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Before you start tweaking, put the camera on a tripod and focus manually in expanded live view. Shoot a page of fine newsprint. Then pixel-peep.

03-25-2013, 08:03 PM	#4
Kurt Euler New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California Posts: 23 Original Poster	Ok. thanks for the ideas!

03-25-2013, 08:11 PM	#5
Kurt Euler New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by kh1234567890 Before you start tweaking, put the camera on a tripod and focus manually in expanded live view. Shoot a page of fine newsprint. Then pixel-peep. kh1234567890, what do you mean by "expanded live view"? I can find "live view" in the manual, but not "expanded live view". Thanks. -Kurt

03-25-2013, 09:22 PM	#6
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Originally posted by Kurt Euler kh1234567890, what do you mean by "expanded live view"? I can find "live view" in the manual, but not "expanded live view". Thanks. -Kurt Evening, While in LiveView, push "info" button and you will go X2, push it again and you get x4, again for x6. You can move around the frame with the arrow keys. In this way you can "digitally zoom in", to an area of the frame and adjust the fine focus of an object to get what you desire.

03-25-2013, 09:39 PM	#7
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	What I would do is start shooting for real with what you have. There are quirks to every focus system, and the best way to find them is to shoot. There are situations where the SR causes softness. At one point you may find that you just can't get what you want out of a lens, and then it is worth checking. Depending on your experience, it may be a matter of days or a few weeks.