look what came in today...

-=JoN=- · 03-11-2007, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by FotoPete

sometimes maybe that spot your camera chose isn't the spot you wanted so thats why you gotta rely on your eyes.

yeah the problem is, im focusing something far, even with general eyesight alone, i wont be able to tell. at close distance, i'm fine, i can tell if it's in focus or not.

I think I just need more practice....

here's an example, one of my shots from today

i reshot it, and the 2nd one was more in focus, but, this just really sucks

and here's a crop of when i was playing around inside the house,

with that stuff, i can tell, but the bridge, i'm about 50 or so feet away...as opposed to the 3 or so feet from the jacket

-=JoN=- · 03-11-2007, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by Alvin

Wish you were in town so that we could trade lenses and pick at this. Is it front of back focus?

I think it's just me. LoL. I just cant manual focus good. I can only be at a set distance to do it, so I can judge better with my eyes.

never had focus problems w/ the body, i'm nearking 5k, and it's been good so far...

i'll post up more photos later from today

Alvin · 03-11-2007, 05:26 PM

Jon,

(pulling out my lens) Looking at my distance scale, you should be dialed in just before if not on infinity for the bridge. I'm betting you're getting the focus confirmation early, but I can't tell what the camera is locking onto. I'm guessing slight back focus because the centre point of your picture looks like it was just under the bridge.

M lens will always use center focus point on my K100. not sure about K10.

-=JoN=- · 03-11-2007, 05:36 PM

you know what, knowing me, i probably readjusted before i hit the shutter, cuz the 2nd shot, was better, and i just shot it as soon as it beeped.

i have a few other examples..of the OOF crap, i'll post them up later...

i sure hope it's not a back or front focus problem.

im still leaning towards user stupidity

Alvin · 03-11-2007, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by -=JoN=-

you know what, knowing me, i probably readjusted before i hit the shutter, cuz the 2nd shot, was better, and i just shot it as soon as it beeped.

i have a few other examples..of the OOF crap, i'll post them up later...

i sure hope it's not a back or front focus problem.

im still leaning towards user stupidity

LOL - sorry didn't mean back focus on the camera.

I'm so bad. I think you put your centre focus point at something behind and under the bridge and it beeped when it locked in at that object underneath the bridge. If you look at the rocks way down there, they appear just a little sharper than the bridge.

EDIT: were you shooting wide open? At that distance, go at most f4 or f5.6. f1.7 (I haven't tried 2.8) is too soft that far.

-=JoN=- · 03-11-2007, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by Alvin

LOL - sorry didn't mean back focus on the camera.

I'm so bad. I think you put your centre focus point at something behind and under the bridge and it beeped when it locked in at that object underneath the bridge. If you look at the rocks way down there, they appear just a little sharper than the bridge.

EDIT: were you shooting wide open? At that distance, go at most f4 or f5.6. f1.7 (I haven't tried 2.8) is too soft that far.

ah, yeah...well, the ducks i shot, i know i was aiming at the head, but that came out bad too.

as far as aperture, i was hopping between f/8 and f/11. f/4 at times, never wider than that. it was too damn bright.

FotoPete · 03-11-2007, 08:45 PM

It looks like the right section of the brigde is partially in focus. This is with the M50/1.7 right?

-=JoN=- · 03-11-2007, 08:53 PM

Originally posted by FotoPete

It looks like the right section of the brigde is partially in focus. This is with the M50/1.7 right?

yeah, it's the M50 1.7

joele · 03-11-2007, 09:59 PM

I had the A version of this lens, I think the optics are the same? great little lens..

roentarre · 03-11-2007, 10:09 PM

I thought all the 50mm has similar optic design, just with different apertures ...

Manual focus is part of the fun though. A lot of people like OOF shots - more artistic?

-=JoN=- · 03-11-2007, 10:28 PM

not sure about it being the same optics as the A, could very well be, the lens iteslf looks the same. in any case, it's not so much as not liking OOF shots, I mean, i do it on purpose at times, but if you think it's IF but turns out OOF, then thats what's annoying me

-=JoN=- · 03-12-2007, 07:49 PM

this one came out pretty sharp, used the 540 with it too

so i'm starting to think, for my own purposes anyway, that it's only good for certain applications as my manual focusing is very very limited

btw, pictured above is a new acquisition...(courtesy of Adam...

)

**NaClH2O** · 03-12-2007, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by -=JoN=-

really nice lens......

Alvin, I got box for your stuff now...

Whooo hooo Jon, nice little baby you got there. I think you will love that lens!
I've heard that some think the 1.7 is the best of the 'fast fiftys' . Tough to focus at first but you'll get the hang of it pretty quick.

NaCl(I love both of my fast 50's)H2O

**NaClH2O** · 03-12-2007, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by fevbusch

Yeah, Jon, I got mine (1.7 M ) from Adorama for about $80. in perfect condition three months ago. Takes great pics but I have so much trouble with the manual focus. Maybe 2 out of 10 shots are in focus. Very frustrating. Any suggestions for me to get better focus? Freddy

Hi Freddy, here are two things that have helped me. First of all get the Pentax O-ME53 viewfinder magnifier, it only magnifies it a bit, but that bit is much better than none. Second: Practice. Here's a bunch of exercises that has helped me immeasurably.
Re: Is a KatzEye required for those using manual focus?: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
They don't take a lot of time to do but they certainly help!

NaCl(it's like the old Carnegie Hall joke)H2O

FotoPete · 03-12-2007, 08:11 PM

*shudders* at the paper thin manual focus ring.

YEa, it can be hard although, I'm mostly used to it by now. Like the link above stresses, you gotta use it for a while before you get used to manually focusing your lenses.

Lenses like the 50mm are pretty good. My vivitar 28-90 is a pain in the ass. All it takes to go from MAcro to Infinity is a 90degree rotation. My Tokina 200mm rotates a ful 270 degrees. I find that helps alot more when it comes to getting that focus right on.

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03-11-2007, 05:15 PM	#16
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999 Original Poster	Originally posted by FotoPete sometimes maybe that spot your camera chose isn't the spot you wanted so thats why you gotta rely on your eyes. yeah the problem is, im focusing something far, even with general eyesight alone, i wont be able to tell. at close distance, i'm fine, i can tell if it's in focus or not. I think I just need more practice.... here's an example, one of my shots from today i reshot it, and the 2nd one was more in focus, but, this just really sucks and here's a crop of when i was playing around inside the house, with that stuff, i can tell, but the bridge, i'm about 50 or so feet away...as opposed to the 3 or so feet from the jacket

03-11-2007, 05:17 PM	#17
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999 Original Poster	Originally posted by Alvin Wish you were in town so that we could trade lenses and pick at this. Is it front of back focus? I think it's just me. LoL. I just cant manual focus good. I can only be at a set distance to do it, so I can judge better with my eyes. never had focus problems w/ the body, i'm nearking 5k, and it's been good so far... i'll post up more photos later from today

03-11-2007, 05:26 PM	#18
Alvin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,517	Jon, (pulling out my lens) Looking at my distance scale, you should be dialed in just before if not on infinity for the bridge. I'm betting you're getting the focus confirmation early, but I can't tell what the camera is locking onto. I'm guessing slight back focus because the centre point of your picture looks like it was just under the bridge. M lens will always use center focus point on my K100. not sure about K10.

03-11-2007, 05:36 PM	#19
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999 Original Poster	you know what, knowing me, i probably readjusted before i hit the shutter, cuz the 2nd shot, was better, and i just shot it as soon as it beeped. i have a few other examples..of the OOF crap, i'll post them up later... i sure hope it's not a back or front focus problem. im still leaning towards user stupidity

03-11-2007, 05:54 PM	#20
Alvin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,517	Originally posted by -=JoN=- you know what, knowing me, i probably readjusted before i hit the shutter, cuz the 2nd shot, was better, and i just shot it as soon as it beeped. i have a few other examples..of the OOF crap, i'll post them up later... i sure hope it's not a back or front focus problem. im still leaning towards user stupidity LOL - sorry didn't mean back focus on the camera. I'm so bad. I think you put your centre focus point at something behind and under the bridge and it beeped when it locked in at that object underneath the bridge. If you look at the rocks way down there, they appear just a little sharper than the bridge. EDIT: were you shooting wide open? At that distance, go at most f4 or f5.6. f1.7 (I haven't tried 2.8) is too soft that far.

03-11-2007, 08:04 PM	#21
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999 Original Poster	Originally posted by Alvin LOL - sorry didn't mean back focus on the camera. I'm so bad. I think you put your centre focus point at something behind and under the bridge and it beeped when it locked in at that object underneath the bridge. If you look at the rocks way down there, they appear just a little sharper than the bridge. EDIT: were you shooting wide open? At that distance, go at most f4 or f5.6. f1.7 (I haven't tried 2.8) is too soft that far. ah, yeah...well, the ducks i shot, i know i was aiming at the head, but that came out bad too. as far as aperture, i was hopping between f/8 and f/11. f/4 at times, never wider than that. it was too damn bright.

03-11-2007, 08:45 PM	#22
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	It looks like the right section of the brigde is partially in focus. This is with the M50/1.7 right?

03-11-2007, 08:53 PM	#23
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999 Original Poster	Originally posted by FotoPete It looks like the right section of the brigde is partially in focus. This is with the M50/1.7 right? yeah, it's the M50 1.7

03-11-2007, 09:59 PM	#24
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	I had the A version of this lens, I think the optics are the same? great little lens..

03-11-2007, 10:09 PM	#25
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	I thought all the 50mm has similar optic design, just with different apertures ... Manual focus is part of the fun though. A lot of people like OOF shots - more artistic?

03-11-2007, 10:28 PM	#26
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999 Original Poster	not sure about it being the same optics as the A, could very well be, the lens iteslf looks the same. in any case, it's not so much as not liking OOF shots, I mean, i do it on purpose at times, but if you think it's IF but turns out OOF, then thats what's annoying me

03-12-2007, 07:49 PM	#27
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999 Original Poster	this one came out pretty sharp, used the 540 with it too so i'm starting to think, for my own purposes anyway, that it's only good for certain applications as my manual focusing is very very limited btw, pictured above is a new acquisition...(courtesy of Adam... )

03-12-2007, 08:01 PM	#28
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by -=JoN=- really nice lens...... Alvin, I got box for your stuff now... Whooo hooo Jon, nice little baby you got there. I think you will love that lens! I've heard that some think the 1.7 is the best of the 'fast fiftys' . Tough to focus at first but you'll get the hang of it pretty quick. NaCl(I love both of my fast 50's)H2O

03-12-2007, 08:06 PM	#29
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by fevbusch Yeah, Jon, I got mine (1.7 M ) from Adorama for about $80. in perfect condition three months ago. Takes great pics but I have so much trouble with the manual focus. Maybe 2 out of 10 shots are in focus. Very frustrating. Any suggestions for me to get better focus? Freddy Hi Freddy, here are two things that have helped me. First of all get the Pentax O-ME53 viewfinder magnifier, it only magnifies it a bit, but that bit is much better than none. Second: Practice. Here's a bunch of exercises that has helped me immeasurably. Re: Is a KatzEye required for those using manual focus?: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review They don't take a lot of time to do but they certainly help! NaCl(it's like the old Carnegie Hall joke)H2O

03-12-2007, 08:11 PM	#30
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	shudders at the paper thin manual focus ring. YEa, it can be hard although, I'm mostly used to it by now. Like the link above stresses, you gotta use it for a while before you get used to manually focusing your lenses. Lenses like the 50mm are pretty good. My vivitar 28-90 is a pain in the ass. All it takes to go from MAcro to Infinity is a 90degree rotation. My Tokina 200mm rotates a ful 270 degrees. I find that helps alot more when it comes to getting that focus right on.