New K-5- I need help with focus issues

Kini62 · 10-24-2010, 11:23 AM

I just got my K5 and 55/1.4 and 50-135 lenses on Friday.

Just an FYI I'm coming from 4 years with Canon- 30d, 40d 1DMkIIN, 24-105L, 70-200/2.8L and 35/2.

I'm having focus issues with both lenses.

At close distances the focus accuracy is pretty good, even with the 55 wide open.

The problem with both lenses is that the further you get the worse the focus, especially the 50-135 at 135mm.

Both lenses seem to be back focusing. No amount of correction seems to help with the 50-135. The 55 seems to do OK with some correction but the focus is quite inconsistent.

I also have a stuck pixel. I suppose I could run the pixel mapping.

Anyway, is this a camera issue? Lens issue?

Should I try and exchange the camera, lens, lenses or all three?

I really like the camera for it's size and features.

Thanks
Gene

Tord · 10-24-2010, 12:01 PM

I would try to contact Pentax and ask for advice!

supertrac · 10-24-2010, 12:16 PM

BOTH. Stuck pixel? I had it on my first K-7, I got it replaced when it was still under 30 days return policy.

Kini62 · 10-24-2010, 03:54 PM

Thanks, but I gave up. Tried some more after the post.

No two images are the same, focus, noise etc...

There is a LOT of noise and artifacts at nearly all ISOs on the OOF or soft images. Properly focused images at the same ISOs look nice.

Tons of purple fringing as well.

I don't have the time or energy to play phone tag with Pentax and end up beyond my return time.

So, I have my RMAs and all of it is going back.

Too bad I just don't have any luck with Pentax, it really is a nice system.

Gene

supertrac · 10-24-2010, 07:49 PM

Just return it to the store but keep the lenses. No need to call and ask Pentax, you'd waste your time.

jake123 · 10-24-2010, 08:51 PM

Do you have examples?

NeverSatisfied · 10-24-2010, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by jake123

Do you have examples?

I second that! Give us more details, please. Boy if it were me receiving a "starter kit" like that I'd think Santa came a bit early! Post up some of your shots, tell us a little about your method of testing the equipment, etc. We'd be glad to help. Don't give up on Pentax yet!

inferno10 · 10-24-2010, 09:17 PM

Third for example. Please leave the EXIF info intact so we can see all the settings used in the example.

- Jason

robgo2 · 10-24-2010, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by Kini62

I just got my K5 and 55/1.4 and 50-135 lenses on Friday.

Just an FYI I'm coming from 4 years with Canon- 30d, 40d 1DMkIIN, 24-105L, 70-200/2.8L and 35/2.

I'm having focus issues with both lenses.

At close distances the focus accuracy is pretty good, even with the 55 wide open.

The problem with both lenses is that the further you get the worse the focus, especially the 50-135 at 135mm.

Both lenses seem to be back focusing. No amount of correction seems to help with the 50-135. The 55 seems to do OK with some correction but the focus is quite inconsistent.

I also have a stuck pixel. I suppose I could run the pixel mapping.

Anyway, is this a camera issue? Lens issue?

Should I try and exchange the camera, lens, lenses or all three?

I really like the camera for it's size and features.

Thanks
Gene

With so many early adopters reporting and posting stunning results from the K-5, your problems are almost certainly attributable to a bad camera body. (I am assuming that you know how to perform focus calibration correctly.) I would recommend returning the camera for a replacement. Do not give up on the K-5 so easily.

Edit: I neglected to mention that I had a similar problem with my first K-7 body. I promptly got a replacement body that focuses very accurately. I used the Lens Align system to calibrate each of my lenses, but there are simpler, less expensive methods of accomplishing that task.

Rob

Jasvox · 10-24-2010, 10:51 PM

Why not return the camera and exchange for another body and see what it gives you? No need dropping he entire venture if you received a defective part.

Jason

alexeyga · 10-25-2010, 06:37 AM

After Pentax-trolling on DPR for so long, you're giving up so fast? You've got to admit, there's certain irony in all that...

Though a similar experience with K7 resulted in my signature...

kittykat46 · 10-25-2010, 07:16 AM

Is this Pentax vendetta a personal thingy or something ?
Really weird....its just a camera......don't like Pentax, there's Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Sony etc. etc....

alexeyga · 10-25-2010, 07:20 AM

Just check his postings on DPR... the guy was fanboying for months, to end up with a faulty camera body... and I honestly find it ironic...

Rory · 10-25-2010, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by alexeyga

Just check his postings on DPR... the guy was fanboying for months, to end up with a faulty camera body... and I honestly find it ironic...

I'm just confused why someone would dump $3k+ into a system and just bail at the first problem.

alexeyga · 10-25-2010, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by Rory

I'm just confused why someone would dump $3k+ into a system and just bail at the first problem.

When you come from a system where everything works the way it supposed to be working out of the box... it's actually quite understandable...

10-24-2010, 11:23 AM	#1
Kini62 New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hawaii Posts: 15	New K-5- I need help with focus issues I just got my K5 and 55/1.4 and 50-135 lenses on Friday. Just an FYI I'm coming from 4 years with Canon- 30d, 40d 1DMkIIN, 24-105L, 70-200/2.8L and 35/2. I'm having focus issues with both lenses. At close distances the focus accuracy is pretty good, even with the 55 wide open. The problem with both lenses is that the further you get the worse the focus, especially the 50-135 at 135mm. Both lenses seem to be back focusing. No amount of correction seems to help with the 50-135. The 55 seems to do OK with some correction but the focus is quite inconsistent. I also have a stuck pixel. I suppose I could run the pixel mapping. Anyway, is this a camera issue? Lens issue? Should I try and exchange the camera, lens, lenses or all three? I really like the camera for it's size and features. Thanks Gene

10-24-2010, 12:16 PM	#3
supertrac Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: BIGTX Photos: Albums Posts: 53	BOTH. Stuck pixel? I had it on my first K-7, I got it replaced when it was still under 30 days return policy. Last edited by supertrac; 10-24-2010 at 12:21 PM.

10-24-2010, 10:13 PM	#9
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Originally posted by Kini62 I just got my K5 and 55/1.4 and 50-135 lenses on Friday. Just an FYI I'm coming from 4 years with Canon- 30d, 40d 1DMkIIN, 24-105L, 70-200/2.8L and 35/2. I'm having focus issues with both lenses. At close distances the focus accuracy is pretty good, even with the 55 wide open. The problem with both lenses is that the further you get the worse the focus, especially the 50-135 at 135mm. Both lenses seem to be back focusing. No amount of correction seems to help with the 50-135. The 55 seems to do OK with some correction but the focus is quite inconsistent. I also have a stuck pixel. I suppose I could run the pixel mapping. Anyway, is this a camera issue? Lens issue? Should I try and exchange the camera, lens, lenses or all three? I really like the camera for it's size and features. Thanks Gene With so many early adopters reporting and posting stunning results from the K-5, your problems are almost certainly attributable to a bad camera body. (I am assuming that you know how to perform focus calibration correctly.) I would recommend returning the camera for a replacement. Do not give up on the K-5 so easily. Edit: I neglected to mention that I had a similar problem with my first K-7 body. I promptly got a replacement body that focuses very accurately. I used the Lens Align system to calibrate each of my lenses, but there are simpler, less expensive methods of accomplishing that task. Rob Last edited by robgo2; 10-25-2010 at 09:38 AM. Reason: Addendum

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10-24-2010, 12:01 PM	#2
Tord Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gothenburg, aka Göteborg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 233	I would try to contact Pentax and ask for advice!

10-24-2010, 03:54 PM	#4
Kini62 New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hawaii Posts: 15 Original Poster	Thanks, but I gave up. Tried some more after the post. No two images are the same, focus, noise etc... There is a LOT of noise and artifacts at nearly all ISOs on the OOF or soft images. Properly focused images at the same ISOs look nice. Tons of purple fringing as well. I don't have the time or energy to play phone tag with Pentax and end up beyond my return time. So, I have my RMAs and all of it is going back. Too bad I just don't have any luck with Pentax, it really is a nice system. Gene

10-24-2010, 07:49 PM	#5
supertrac Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: BIGTX Photos: Albums Posts: 53	Just return it to the store but keep the lenses. No need to call and ask Pentax, you'd waste your time.

10-24-2010, 08:51 PM	#6
jake123 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 130	Do you have examples?

10-24-2010, 09:14 PM	#7
NeverSatisfied Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 688	Originally posted by jake123 Do you have examples? I second that! Give us more details, please. Boy if it were me receiving a "starter kit" like that I'd think Santa came a bit early! Post up some of your shots, tell us a little about your method of testing the equipment, etc. We'd be glad to help. Don't give up on Pentax yet!

10-24-2010, 09:17 PM	#8
inferno10 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 342	Third for example. Please leave the EXIF info intact so we can see all the settings used in the example. - Jason

10-24-2010, 10:51 PM	#10
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	Why not return the camera and exchange for another body and see what it gives you? No need dropping he entire venture if you received a defective part. Jason

10-25-2010, 06:37 AM	#11
alexeyga Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 838	After Pentax-trolling on DPR for so long, you're giving up so fast? You've got to admit, there's certain irony in all that... Though a similar experience with K7 resulted in my signature...

10-25-2010, 07:16 AM	#12
kittykat46 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 923	Is this Pentax vendetta a personal thingy or something ? Really weird....its just a camera......don't like Pentax, there's Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Sony etc. etc....

10-25-2010, 07:20 AM	#13
alexeyga Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 838	Just check his postings on DPR... the guy was fanboying for months, to end up with a faulty camera body... and I honestly find it ironic...

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10-25-2010, 08:23 AM	#14
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672	Originally posted by alexeyga Just check his postings on DPR... the guy was fanboying for months, to end up with a faulty camera body... and I honestly find it ironic... I'm just confused why someone would dump $3k+ into a system and just bail at the first problem.

10-25-2010, 08:59 AM	#15
alexeyga Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 838	Originally posted by Rory I'm just confused why someone would dump $3k+ into a system and just bail at the first problem. When you come from a system where everything works the way it supposed to be working out of the box... it's actually quite understandable...