K5 Autofocus is not "improved", its beyond that.

imtheguy · 10-15-2010, 10:46 AM

Yep, its in my grubby paws. I will just state the most impressive thing so far that I didn't expect.

THE AF IS NOW FREAKY FAST!

At least on my (SDM) da*300 , which takes its sweet time on the K20D but on the K5 its BAM! Focused. I did not expect such a huge improvement. Its REALLY fast.

filmamigo · 10-15-2010, 10:51 AM

Cool!

How about with a screw-driver AF lens? High performance cameras need both a good AF system and a strong motor to drive the lens...

creampuff · 10-15-2010, 10:53 AM

You will have an uphill task to try to convince the horde of longtime Pentax skeptics out there. As for me, I'm already a believer...

skawi · 10-15-2010, 11:01 AM

It would be great if you could post a short video comparing focusing speed of your da*300 on both cameras. It's been said by some guys who've had a chance to try a k-5, that they didn't notice faster focusing speed with sdm lenses compared to older bodies, so it would be nice if you could prove they were wrong.

Anyway, thanks for the info.

imtheguy · 10-15-2010, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by filmamigo

Cool!

How about with a screw-driver AF lens? High performance cameras need both a good AF system and a strong motor to drive the lens...

Ok, I just tried the da55-300 (SD) and it racks at a higher pitch and stops on the button. The K20D AF generally needs the lens to bounce a few times in and out before it stops and indicates focus. K5 screams right to the spot and stops. Caveat - I have not compared the pics to make sure its actually stopping on the right spot

but YES, its noticably faster with screw-drive also.

dgaies · 10-15-2010, 11:06 AM

Excellent. Looking forward to trying my DA*60-250 out tonight on the K5

imtheguy · 10-15-2010, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by creampuff

You will have an uphill task to try to convince the horde of longtime Pentax skeptics out there. As for me, I'm already a believer...

The healthiest thing about my interest in the gear and my personality is I don't give a rats butt what the skeptics want to believe as long as I like it. I won't lose any sleep or spend any time arguing the point. For all I know, I got the only copy that works properly

bobmaxja · 10-15-2010, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by imtheguy

The healthiest thing about my interest in the gear and my personality is I don't give a rats butt what the skeptics want to believe as long as I like it. I won't lose any sleep or spend any time arguing the point. For all I know, I got the only copy that works properly

I like your positive attitude, I am the same way

Asahiflex · 10-15-2010, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by imtheguy

The healthiest thing about my interest in the gear and my personality is I don't give a rats butt what the skeptics want to believe as long as I like it. I won't lose any sleep or spend any time arguing the point. For all I know, I got the only copy that works properly

I like your attitude too. To hell witl the armchair experts, spending their time crunching numbers. It's all about the pictures and the feelings of the photographer. I don't take pictures for scientific purposes. Great if you do, but I don't

BTW: almost all of my lenses are screwdriven (the DA* 55 is the only one that isn't) so maybe I'm in for a surprise when my K-5 is delivered

Ratmagiclady · 10-15-2010, 11:20 AM

*clearing throat.*

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLL!

(I say this noting that I don't think screw-drive is the weak link. At all.

)

D4rknezz · 10-15-2010, 11:26 AM

Did you test it out in the sunlight? or? I would be interested to know how it performs in darker environments

In my rooms where I usually need f1.4 or bigger according to my meter, and putting a 16-50 2.8, it hunts a good 2-3 seconds.

Parallax · 10-15-2010, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by imtheguy

........... Caveat - I have not compared the pics to make sure its actually stopping on the right spot

but YES, its noticably faster with screw-drive also.

That's like the old joke "I can type 300 words per minute; 75 if you want them spelled right".

raz · 10-15-2010, 11:39 AM

Would be very good if we can get a confirmation that 16-50 and 50-135 are a lot faster on K5. Anybody ?

**jpzk** · 10-15-2010, 11:52 AM

Originally posted by imtheguy

Yep, its in my grubby paws. I will just state the most impressive thing so far that I didn't expect.

THE AF IS NOW FREAKY FAST!

At least on my (SDM) da*300 , which takes its sweet time on the K20D but on the K5 its BAM! Focused. I did not expect such a huge improvement. Its REALLY fast.

Yeahhhh!!!!!

That IS one big piece of great news to me!!

I've been posting this all over the forum: AF MUST BE vastly improved for me to consider getting the K5 and I guess you have tested it yourself!

Now, did you have the chance to test all AF settings ... AF-S, AF-C, both in focus priority and/or FPS priority?

If you have the time to do some testing with the DA*300/4 with moving subjects both laterally and toward you, at high ISO too, it would be perfect!

You mention having stepped up from the K20D; I was expecting some good AF improvement, as you relate, but I also wonder how it would compare to a K7 AF ... ?

Congratulations on your latest acquisition and I am truly looking forward to some great pics you will share here.

Cheers and have a great photography-weekend!

JP

**jpzk** · 10-15-2010, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by imtheguy

The healthiest thing about my interest in the gear and my personality is I don't give a rats butt what the skeptics want to believe as long as I like it. I won't lose any sleep or spend any time arguing the point. For all I know, I got the only copy that works properly

This is scary ..... care to explain this?

JP

10-15-2010, 10:46 AM	#1
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	K5 Autofocus is not "improved", its beyond that. Yep, its in my grubby paws. I will just state the most impressive thing so far that I didn't expect. THE AF IS NOW FREAKY FAST! At least on my (SDM) da*300 , which takes its sweet time on the K20D but on the K5 its BAM! Focused. I did not expect such a huge improvement. Its REALLY fast.

10-15-2010, 11:20 AM	#10
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	clearing throat. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLL! (I say this noting that I don't think screw-drive is the weak link. At all. ) Last edited by Ratmagiclady; 10-15-2010 at 11:26 AM.

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10-15-2010, 10:51 AM	#2
filmamigo Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797	Cool! How about with a screw-driver AF lens? High performance cameras need both a good AF system and a strong motor to drive the lens...

10-15-2010, 10:53 AM	#3
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	You will have an uphill task to try to convince the horde of longtime Pentax skeptics out there. As for me, I'm already a believer...

10-15-2010, 11:01 AM	#4
skawi Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 34	It would be great if you could post a short video comparing focusing speed of your da*300 on both cameras. It's been said by some guys who've had a chance to try a k-5, that they didn't notice faster focusing speed with sdm lenses compared to older bodies, so it would be nice if you could prove they were wrong. Anyway, thanks for the info.

10-15-2010, 11:04 AM	#5
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950 Original Poster	Originally posted by filmamigo Cool! How about with a screw-driver AF lens? High performance cameras need both a good AF system and a strong motor to drive the lens... Ok, I just tried the da55-300 (SD) and it racks at a higher pitch and stops on the button. The K20D AF generally needs the lens to bounce a few times in and out before it stops and indicates focus. K5 screams right to the spot and stops. Caveat - I have not compared the pics to make sure its actually stopping on the right spot but YES, its noticably faster with screw-drive also.

10-15-2010, 11:06 AM	#6
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Excellent. Looking forward to trying my DA*60-250 out tonight on the K5

10-15-2010, 11:08 AM	#7
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950 Original Poster	Originally posted by creampuff You will have an uphill task to try to convince the horde of longtime Pentax skeptics out there. As for me, I'm already a believer... The healthiest thing about my interest in the gear and my personality is I don't give a rats butt what the skeptics want to believe as long as I like it. I won't lose any sleep or spend any time arguing the point. For all I know, I got the only copy that works properly

10-15-2010, 11:11 AM	#8
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	Originally posted by imtheguy The healthiest thing about my interest in the gear and my personality is I don't give a rats butt what the skeptics want to believe as long as I like it. I won't lose any sleep or spend any time arguing the point. For all I know, I got the only copy that works properly I like your positive attitude, I am the same way

10-15-2010, 11:16 AM	#9
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by imtheguy The healthiest thing about my interest in the gear and my personality is I don't give a rats butt what the skeptics want to believe as long as I like it. I won't lose any sleep or spend any time arguing the point. For all I know, I got the only copy that works properly I like your attitude too. To hell witl the armchair experts, spending their time crunching numbers. It's all about the pictures and the feelings of the photographer. I don't take pictures for scientific purposes. Great if you do, but I don't BTW: almost all of my lenses are screwdriven (the DA* 55 is the only one that isn't) so maybe I'm in for a surprise when my K-5 is delivered

10-15-2010, 11:26 AM	#11
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196	Did you test it out in the sunlight? or? I would be interested to know how it performs in darker environments In my rooms where I usually need f1.4 or bigger according to my meter, and putting a 16-50 2.8, it hunts a good 2-3 seconds.

10-15-2010, 11:34 AM	#12
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by imtheguy ........... Caveat - I have not compared the pics to make sure its actually stopping on the right spot but YES, its noticably faster with screw-drive also. That's like the old joke "I can type 300 words per minute; 75 if you want them spelled right".

10-15-2010, 11:39 AM	#13
raz Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Timisoara, Romania Posts: 248	Would be very good if we can get a confirmation that 16-50 and 50-135 are a lot faster on K5. Anybody ?

10-15-2010, 11:52 AM	#14
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by imtheguy Yep, its in my grubby paws. I will just state the most impressive thing so far that I didn't expect. THE AF IS NOW FREAKY FAST! At least on my (SDM) da300 , which takes its sweet time on the K20D but on the K5 its BAM! Focused. I did not expect such a huge improvement. Its REALLY fast. Yeahhhh!!!!! That IS one big piece of great news to me!! I've been posting this all over the forum: AF MUST BE vastly improved for me to consider getting the K5 and I guess you have tested it yourself! Now, did you have the chance to test all AF settings ... AF-S, AF-C, both in focus priority and/or FPS priority? If you have the time to do some testing with the DA300/4 with moving subjects both laterally and toward you, at high ISO too, it would be perfect! You mention having stepped up from the K20D; I was expecting some good AF improvement, as you relate, but I also wonder how it would compare to a K7 AF ... ? Congratulations on your latest acquisition and I am truly looking forward to some great pics you will share here. Cheers and have a great photography-weekend! JP

10-15-2010, 11:54 AM	#15
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by imtheguy The healthiest thing about my interest in the gear and my personality is I don't give a rats butt what the skeptics want to believe as long as I like it. I won't lose any sleep or spend any time arguing the point. For all I know, I got the only copy that works properly This is scary ..... care to explain this? JP