K5 lens adjustments - How much for your lens?

vievetrick · 12-30-2010, 06:53 PM

I think my 16-45 is off a little and has been even on my K10 so going to try and make an adjustment in the K5.

Curious who has adjusted their K5 with a Pentax 16-45 and what your adjustment was.

While at it what other lens did you have to adjust and how much. I am guessing it really is different for every lens. Meaning my 16-45 may need this much but yours doesn't. But curious if any type of consistency.

Also what is the BEST way to make sure your adjusted correctly. Is there a vid or how to adjust you lens w/ K5 for dummies? First attempt at this and hate to screw it up.

Wheatfield · 12-30-2010, 07:23 PM

I haven't dialed in the lens in question, but I'll tell you how I dial in a lens.
I'm pretty casual about it but I get good AF adjustments. I put the camera in AV mode and adjust the aperture and ISO until I get a happy shutter speed.
I find an object that I can comfortably photograph that is a reasonable distance from my camera.
I take a picture and then adjust the focus bias on that lens to +5, and take a picture.
I then take a picture at -4.
Each time I let the camera refocus by focusing on something nearby and then letting the camera focus on my target object.
I then compare the three images to see which is sharpest, or at least which direction is softer.
Now I know if my lens is a plus or minus, and I zero in on the best offset # by by doing 2 exposure comparisons until I've found the best bias.

kittykat46 · 12-30-2010, 07:28 PM

I have to say I've been very satisfied with my K-5's AF.
The DA 50-135mm needed -2, but that's because I was quite particular about the accuracy at f/2.8. I could easily have left it without adjustment.

None of my other DA and FA lenses have needed lens AF adjustment, and that's a real first for a Pentax body.

nulla · 12-30-2010, 07:58 PM

I am just waiting on delivery of the Spyder Lenscal... saw another user here referring to it.

Its not cheap but I hope it is useful

You Tube

Cheers

Neil

imtheguy · 12-30-2010, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by vievetrick

Curious who has adjusted their K5 with a Pentax 16-45 and what your adjustment was.

My 16-45mm is the only lens (of 8) that did not require an adjustment in the K-5 although it requires -7 in the K20D.

**mtngal** · 12-30-2010, 10:16 PM

So far I've only adjusted focus on the DA 35 macro to a -2. It was off enough to bother me. The DA*50-135 seems to be right on, though it back focused a bit on the K7. My initial test-shots with the 12-24 looked pretty good - it front focused with both the K20 and K7. I can't figure out the 77 - focus charts looked good but outside it's inconsistent.

I saw a reference to the Spyder product and thought it was really interesting. I hate shooting focus charts, if the chart has lines too near the center, the camera can focus on the wrong spot. If you don't have the chart perfectly straight to the camera you can get strange results. The chart would deal with both problems - you are focusing on a flat surface so you don't have to worry about where the camera is focusing, and the chart that's at an angle is only one one side, so you won't be confused if the chart isn't square to the camera. I'd love to know what you think of it.

I usually shoot a focus chart, look at the pictures to see if I was square etc. Then perhaps shoot them a second time if it looks strange for some reason. If there's something obvious I'll adjust it a bit or a lot, depending on the situation, shoot more charts until I'm satisfied. Then I'll go outside and shoot pictures at different distances to see if its right - that's what really matters anyway. I find that the chart pictures are sometimes either inconclusive, inconsistent or not right for some reason and the whole thing can be frustrating. On the other hand, it's a delight to shoot with a lens that focuses correctly, especially when it's been a problem before.

goubejp · 12-31-2010, 01:21 AM

Adjustement varies from -2 to +10 for my lenses; but here I speak of lenses in the range 15-600 mm; the one needing most adjustment being the DA*200.
For tele lenses and normal lenses, I use the tim Jackson focus chart; you can download it here
http://focustestchart.com/focus21.pdf
beware for some lenses the focus shifts when stopped down so (example : FA*600) so I adjust the focus test with the lens stopped down at f5.6 (this is an uncommon lens though, but this may happen also on fast tele lenses like FA 50)
for wide angle lenses (from FA 31 to DA 15) I focus on tree branches at 15 meters with various adjustments
Regards

bobmaxja · 12-31-2010, 01:24 PM

I just test all mine. Most of them are dead on including the Tamron and Sigma. Only one need more adjustment but at-5.

infosyn · 12-31-2010, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by mtngal

So far I've only adjusted focus on the DA 35 macro to a -2...
The DA*50-135 seems to be right on, though it back focused a bit on the K7...
the 12-24 looked pretty good - it front focused with both the K20 and K7.
I can't figure out the 77 - focus charts looked good but outside it's inconsistent.

Using Tim Jackson's chart version 2.00 with the K-5, I got -6 for the DA 35 Ltd, -1 for the DA 55-300 at 260mm, and like you, found the 12-24 right on the button at 19mm. My Tamron 90 macro was -5.

I was very pleased how quickly all four lenses locked into focus, much faster than the K-7, and no hunting. Just a note: I have the focus set to center spot.

Originally posted by mtngal

I hate shooting focus charts, if the chart has lines too near the center, the camera can focus on the wrong spot. If you don't have the chart perfectly straight to the camera you can get strange results.

So true, you do need to be precise unless you enjoy wasting a whole lot of time. Suggestion: set the aperture to the widest the lens will allow, thus making the depth of field as short as possible and making out-of-focus areas stand out.

inferno10 · 01-03-2011, 02:55 PM

I just got a LensAlign MkII to help with my focus adjustments. My K-5 needed a global +2 correction to get all my lenses calibrated with this chart. This was done at both natural and artificial light. The LensAlign has a bullseye (the red thing near the center) that is only visible when the camera is properly parallel with the main target.

- Jason

WerTicus · 01-04-2011, 10:26 AM

Does lens calibrations get saved into the user mode? Could be used for the FF issue in low light.

bobmaxja · 01-04-2011, 10:41 AM

Lens calibration are save for each lens in the K-5. You do not need to use User mode

Tom S. · 01-04-2011, 01:28 PM

You can download a chart in pdf form for free here:

Focus Chart

ve2vfd · 01-04-2011, 01:57 PM

Inferno, how well does the LensAlign work?

I've always been a little suspicious of charts (they are usually a little "busy" and I find shooting on an angle kind of odd).

Pat

Smeggypants · 01-04-2011, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by ve2vfd

Inferno, how well does the LensAlign work?

I've always been a little suspicious of charts (they are usually a little "busy" and I find shooting on an angle kind of odd).

Pat

I just use one of these ....

12-30-2010, 06:53 PM	#1
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183	K5 lens adjustments - How much for your lens? I think my 16-45 is off a little and has been even on my K10 so going to try and make an adjustment in the K5. Curious who has adjusted their K5 with a Pentax 16-45 and what your adjustment was. While at it what other lens did you have to adjust and how much. I am guessing it really is different for every lens. Meaning my 16-45 may need this much but yours doesn't. But curious if any type of consistency. Also what is the BEST way to make sure your adjusted correctly. Is there a vid or how to adjust you lens w/ K5 for dummies? First attempt at this and hate to screw it up.

01-03-2011, 02:55 PM	#10
inferno10 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 342	I just got a LensAlign MkII to help with my focus adjustments. My K-5 needed a global +2 correction to get all my lenses calibrated with this chart. This was done at both natural and artificial light. The LensAlign has a bullseye (the red thing near the center) that is only visible when the camera is properly parallel with the main target. - Jason Last edited by inferno10; 01-03-2011 at 09:49 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Struggling with autofocus adjustments	JamieP	Pentax DSLR Discussion	13	12-15-2010 01:31 PM
Suggestions for Camera Adjustments	JamesD	Photographic Technique	4	10-03-2009 04:54 PM
Best practises for focus adjustments.	metroeloise	Pentax DSLR Discussion	12	10-30-2008 04:12 AM
K20D AF adjustments	ManuH	Pentax DSLR Discussion	14	09-11-2008 02:47 PM
Poor lighting adjustments	lost	Photo Critique	2	12-31-2007 12:36 PM

12-30-2010, 07:23 PM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	I haven't dialed in the lens in question, but I'll tell you how I dial in a lens. I'm pretty casual about it but I get good AF adjustments. I put the camera in AV mode and adjust the aperture and ISO until I get a happy shutter speed. I find an object that I can comfortably photograph that is a reasonable distance from my camera. I take a picture and then adjust the focus bias on that lens to +5, and take a picture. I then take a picture at -4. Each time I let the camera refocus by focusing on something nearby and then letting the camera focus on my target object. I then compare the three images to see which is sharpest, or at least which direction is softer. Now I know if my lens is a plus or minus, and I zero in on the best offset # by by doing 2 exposure comparisons until I've found the best bias.

12-30-2010, 07:28 PM	#3
kittykat46 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 923	I have to say I've been very satisfied with my K-5's AF. The DA 50-135mm needed -2, but that's because I was quite particular about the accuracy at f/2.8. I could easily have left it without adjustment. None of my other DA and FA lenses have needed lens AF adjustment, and that's a real first for a Pentax body.

12-30-2010, 09:12 PM	#5
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	Originally posted by vievetrick Curious who has adjusted their K5 with a Pentax 16-45 and what your adjustment was. My 16-45mm is the only lens (of 8) that did not require an adjustment in the K-5 although it requires -7 in the K20D.

12-30-2010, 10:16 PM	#6
mtngal Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wherever I’m Parked Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,003	So far I've only adjusted focus on the DA 35 macro to a -2. It was off enough to bother me. The DA*50-135 seems to be right on, though it back focused a bit on the K7. My initial test-shots with the 12-24 looked pretty good - it front focused with both the K20 and K7. I can't figure out the 77 - focus charts looked good but outside it's inconsistent. I saw a reference to the Spyder product and thought it was really interesting. I hate shooting focus charts, if the chart has lines too near the center, the camera can focus on the wrong spot. If you don't have the chart perfectly straight to the camera you can get strange results. The chart would deal with both problems - you are focusing on a flat surface so you don't have to worry about where the camera is focusing, and the chart that's at an angle is only one one side, so you won't be confused if the chart isn't square to the camera. I'd love to know what you think of it. I usually shoot a focus chart, look at the pictures to see if I was square etc. Then perhaps shoot them a second time if it looks strange for some reason. If there's something obvious I'll adjust it a bit or a lot, depending on the situation, shoot more charts until I'm satisfied. Then I'll go outside and shoot pictures at different distances to see if its right - that's what really matters anyway. I find that the chart pictures are sometimes either inconclusive, inconsistent or not right for some reason and the whole thing can be frustrating. On the other hand, it's a delight to shoot with a lens that focuses correctly, especially when it's been a problem before.

12-31-2010, 01:21 AM	#7
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	Adjustement varies from -2 to +10 for my lenses; but here I speak of lenses in the range 15-600 mm; the one needing most adjustment being the DA200. For tele lenses and normal lenses, I use the tim Jackson focus chart; you can download it here http://focustestchart.com/focus21.pdf beware for some lenses the focus shifts when stopped down so (example : FA600) so I adjust the focus test with the lens stopped down at f5.6 (this is an uncommon lens though, but this may happen also on fast tele lenses like FA 50) for wide angle lenses (from FA 31 to DA 15) I focus on tree branches at 15 meters with various adjustments Regards

12-31-2010, 01:24 PM	#8
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	I just test all mine. Most of them are dead on including the Tamron and Sigma. Only one need more adjustment but at-5.

12-31-2010, 06:06 PM	#9
infosyn Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon, US Posts: 97	Originally posted by mtngal So far I've only adjusted focus on the DA 35 macro to a -2... The DA*50-135 seems to be right on, though it back focused a bit on the K7... the 12-24 looked pretty good - it front focused with both the K20 and K7. I can't figure out the 77 - focus charts looked good but outside it's inconsistent. Using Tim Jackson's chart version 2.00 with the K-5, I got -6 for the DA 35 Ltd, -1 for the DA 55-300 at 260mm, and like you, found the 12-24 right on the button at 19mm. My Tamron 90 macro was -5. I was very pleased how quickly all four lenses locked into focus, much faster than the K-7, and no hunting. Just a note: I have the focus set to center spot. Originally posted by mtngal I hate shooting focus charts, if the chart has lines too near the center, the camera can focus on the wrong spot. If you don't have the chart perfectly straight to the camera you can get strange results. So true, you do need to be precise unless you enjoy wasting a whole lot of time. Suggestion: set the aperture to the widest the lens will allow, thus making the depth of field as short as possible and making out-of-focus areas stand out.

01-04-2011, 10:26 AM	#11
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	Does lens calibrations get saved into the user mode? Could be used for the FF issue in low light.

01-04-2011, 10:41 AM	#12
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	Lens calibration are save for each lens in the K-5. You do not need to use User mode

01-04-2011, 01:28 PM	#13
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	You can download a chart in pdf form for free here: Focus Chart

01-04-2011, 01:57 PM	#14
ve2vfd Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,433	Inferno, how well does the LensAlign work? I've always been a little suspicious of charts (they are usually a little "busy" and I find shooting on an angle kind of odd). Pat

01-04-2011, 02:50 PM	#15
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by ve2vfd Inferno, how well does the LensAlign work? I've always been a little suspicious of charts (they are usually a little "busy" and I find shooting on an angle kind of odd). Pat I just use one of these ....