K5 AF Tests

**jpzk** · 10-16-2010, 05:49 PM

Moderators: close or delete this thread if this is "untimely".

This is a call to actual USERS of the K5:

With all of the hype on the K5 high ISO performances, not much is being said about the K5 apparently much improved AF.

There are some videos on the Live View AF but there isn't much at all on the actual "through the lens" K5 AF performances.

If anyone wants to start contributing here with sample shots, [professionally conducted tests will come in due time from the proper authorities on the subject], please go ahead and let us see what you are capable of achieving now.

Moving subjects would be preferable, of course, especially those moving toward the photographers!

Hope this will attract some attention as much as the high ISO hype.

Cheers.

JP

Parallax · 10-16-2010, 05:54 PM

I think it's very timely. I would love to hear some reports from the field instead of pre-game speculation by armchair quarterbacks.

JohnBee · 10-16-2010, 05:55 PM

Maybe we should offer a finders fee

I was thinking of offering one for controlled DNG/RAW files.

jimr-pdx · 10-16-2010, 06:42 PM

And I would like to hear the K-7 is superior in every way

sorry.. but it is true! I enjoy liking my camera.

dgaies · 10-16-2010, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by JohnBee

Maybe we should offer a finders fee

I was thinking of offering one for controlled DNG/RAW files.

Just let me know what you'd like (in terms of controlled shots) and I'll do my best to take them and send you the RAW files

Ubuntu_user · 10-16-2010, 07:02 PM

Oh yes! Please... Someone?

JeffJS · 10-16-2010, 07:19 PM

I want to be able to take a series of photos of him Running towards me, AF-C, All in Focus. Can the K5 do that (not being facetious, it's a serious question)?

dgaies · 10-16-2010, 08:15 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

I want to be able to take a series of photos of him Running towards me, AF-C, All in Focus. Can the K5 do that (not being facetious, it's a serious question)?

Here's one from this morning of my son riding his bike directly at me. If I recall correctly, I was using AF-C and 5-point Auto-point select. I realize it's not quite the same as a black dog (which offers less contrast) running towards you (at faster speeds than my son can get his pedal-less bike going).

Also, for what it's worth, this was the first time I'd used AF-C on any camera body, so I really can't offer much in the way of an opinion on how it performed compared to the K7 or a Canon/Nikon.

Eruditass · 10-16-2010, 08:23 PM

If you took a burst of images while he was riding towards you, can we seem them all? This is what is important, IMO.

My K-x was able to get a couple spot on focus keepers of say, bikers riding towards me, but the vast majority was off focus (usually focused behind the subject)

dgaies · 10-16-2010, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by Eruditass

If you took a burst of images while he was riding towards you, can we seem them all? This is what is important, IMO.

My K-x was able to get a couple spot on focus keepers of say, bikers riding towards me, but the vast majority was off focus (usually focused behind the subject)

Unfortunately, I didn't really take any shot bursts this morning. Old habits die hard and I was basically half-pressing the shutter button while AF-C was adjusting focus and then I'd take a single shot. 99% of the time I just use the center-point AF point and recompose and I rarely take more than a single shot at once (as in continuous drive). This was also the first time I tried auto-AF point selection.

But I'll be glad to go out tomorrow and try some burst shots... just have to remind myself to fight the urge to release my finger from the shutter button after the first shot it fired off

JeffJS · 10-16-2010, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by Eruditass

If you took a burst of images while he was riding towards you, can we seem them all? This is what is important, IMO.

My K-x was able to get a couple spot on focus keepers of say, bikers riding towards me, but the vast majority was off focus (usually focused behind the subject)

Exactly.

Originally posted by dgaies

Unfortunately, I didn't really take any shot bursts this morning. Old habits die hard and I was basically half-pressing the shutter button while AF-C was adjusting focus and then I'd take a single shot. 99% of the time I just use the center-point AF point and recompose and I rarely take more than a single shot at once (as in continuous drive). This was also the first time I tried auto-AF point selection.

But I'll be glad to go out tomorrow and try some burst shots... just have to remind myself to fight the urge to release my finger from the shutter button after the first shot it fired off

I understand the old habits thing. I've never been thrilled with the AF-C on my other cameras for such a purpose, and as a result, I rarely use it. The reason I'm asking. I'm impressed enough with the High ISO capability of the K5 but I want to know if I'm going to be Completely happy with it (once they are back in stock).

dgaies · 10-16-2010, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

I understand the old habits thing. I've never been thrilled with the AF-C on my other cameras for such a purpose, and as a result, I rarely use it. The reason I'm asking. I'm impressed enough with the High ISO capability of the K5 but I want to know if I'm going to be Completely happy with it (once they are back in stock).

I understand.

I'm pretty happy with the high-iso performance of the K5 so far. I'd say it's a good two-stop improvement over the K7, although I haven't done any specific tests to try and quantify that number (just from fooling around with it for a day, iso6400 on the K5 feels pretty close to iso1600 on the K7).

As for the AF-C, I'll try and get out tomorrow and use it some more and see what the results look like. Obviously I'm hoping for the best, but for me (personally) the improvement in high ISO performance was enough to get me to replace my K7 with the K5. A more competent AF-C would be icing on the proverbial cake.

Also, for what it's worth, I can attest to the fact that the AF itself is quicker with the K5 than the K7 (in terms of locking time). The AF seems more decisive and there are fewer "micro-corrections" at the end right before it locks. This was true for both screw-driven lenses and SDM lenses.

Conan · 10-16-2010, 09:32 PM

Originally posted by dgaies

The AF seems more decisive and there are fewer "micro-corrections" at the end right before it locks. This was true for both screw-driven lenses and SDM lenses.

So is it correct for me to say that there are still some "micro-corrections" before it locks focus?

dgaies · 10-16-2010, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by Conan

So is it correct for me to say that there are still some "micro-corrections" before it locks focus?

The focus is very quick and decisive under adequate lighting.

In conditions with poor lighting (like the room I'm in now, lit by a single 60w bulb) I think it's fair to say that there are still occasional "micro-corrections" (for lack of a better phrase) before locking.

fikkser · 10-17-2010, 04:33 AM

Do you miss spot AF? I've seen spot af on a 7D and I would love that on my pentax.

10-16-2010, 05:49 PM	#1
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	K5 AF Tests Moderators: close or delete this thread if this is "untimely". This is a call to actual USERS of the K5: With all of the hype on the K5 high ISO performances, not much is being said about the K5 apparently much improved AF. There are some videos on the Live View AF but there isn't much at all on the actual "through the lens" K5 AF performances. If anyone wants to start contributing here with sample shots, [professionally conducted tests will come in due time from the proper authorities on the subject], please go ahead and let us see what you are capable of achieving now. Moving subjects would be preferable, of course, especially those moving toward the photographers! Hope this will attract some attention as much as the high ISO hype. Cheers. JP

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10-16-2010, 05:54 PM	#2
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	I think it's very timely. I would love to hear some reports from the field instead of pre-game speculation by armchair quarterbacks.

10-16-2010, 05:55 PM	#3
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Maybe we should offer a finders fee I was thinking of offering one for controlled DNG/RAW files.

10-16-2010, 06:42 PM	#4
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	And I would like to hear the K-7 is superior in every way sorry.. but it is true! I enjoy liking my camera.

10-16-2010, 06:55 PM	#5
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by JohnBee Maybe we should offer a finders fee I was thinking of offering one for controlled DNG/RAW files. Just let me know what you'd like (in terms of controlled shots) and I'll do my best to take them and send you the RAW files

10-16-2010, 07:02 PM	#6
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Oh yes! Please... Someone?

10-16-2010, 07:19 PM	#7
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	I want to be able to take a series of photos of him Running towards me, AF-C, All in Focus. Can the K5 do that (not being facetious, it's a serious question)?

10-16-2010, 08:15 PM	#8
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by JeffJS I want to be able to take a series of photos of him Running towards me, AF-C, All in Focus. Can the K5 do that (not being facetious, it's a serious question)? Here's one from this morning of my son riding his bike directly at me. If I recall correctly, I was using AF-C and 5-point Auto-point select. I realize it's not quite the same as a black dog (which offers less contrast) running towards you (at faster speeds than my son can get his pedal-less bike going). Also, for what it's worth, this was the first time I'd used AF-C on any camera body, so I really can't offer much in the way of an opinion on how it performed compared to the K7 or a Canon/Nikon.

10-16-2010, 08:23 PM	#9
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	If you took a burst of images while he was riding towards you, can we seem them all? This is what is important, IMO. My K-x was able to get a couple spot on focus keepers of say, bikers riding towards me, but the vast majority was off focus (usually focused behind the subject)

10-16-2010, 08:35 PM	#10
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Eruditass If you took a burst of images while he was riding towards you, can we seem them all? This is what is important, IMO. My K-x was able to get a couple spot on focus keepers of say, bikers riding towards me, but the vast majority was off focus (usually focused behind the subject) Unfortunately, I didn't really take any shot bursts this morning. Old habits die hard and I was basically half-pressing the shutter button while AF-C was adjusting focus and then I'd take a single shot. 99% of the time I just use the center-point AF point and recompose and I rarely take more than a single shot at once (as in continuous drive). This was also the first time I tried auto-AF point selection. But I'll be glad to go out tomorrow and try some burst shots... just have to remind myself to fight the urge to release my finger from the shutter button after the first shot it fired off

10-16-2010, 08:56 PM	#11
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Eruditass If you took a burst of images while he was riding towards you, can we seem them all? This is what is important, IMO. My K-x was able to get a couple spot on focus keepers of say, bikers riding towards me, but the vast majority was off focus (usually focused behind the subject) Exactly. Originally posted by dgaies Unfortunately, I didn't really take any shot bursts this morning. Old habits die hard and I was basically half-pressing the shutter button while AF-C was adjusting focus and then I'd take a single shot. 99% of the time I just use the center-point AF point and recompose and I rarely take more than a single shot at once (as in continuous drive). This was also the first time I tried auto-AF point selection. But I'll be glad to go out tomorrow and try some burst shots... just have to remind myself to fight the urge to release my finger from the shutter button after the first shot it fired off I understand the old habits thing. I've never been thrilled with the AF-C on my other cameras for such a purpose, and as a result, I rarely use it. The reason I'm asking. I'm impressed enough with the High ISO capability of the K5 but I want to know if I'm going to be Completely happy with it (once they are back in stock).

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10-16-2010, 09:19 PM	#12
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by JeffJS I understand the old habits thing. I've never been thrilled with the AF-C on my other cameras for such a purpose, and as a result, I rarely use it. The reason I'm asking. I'm impressed enough with the High ISO capability of the K5 but I want to know if I'm going to be Completely happy with it (once they are back in stock). I understand. I'm pretty happy with the high-iso performance of the K5 so far. I'd say it's a good two-stop improvement over the K7, although I haven't done any specific tests to try and quantify that number (just from fooling around with it for a day, iso6400 on the K5 feels pretty close to iso1600 on the K7). As for the AF-C, I'll try and get out tomorrow and use it some more and see what the results look like. Obviously I'm hoping for the best, but for me (personally) the improvement in high ISO performance was enough to get me to replace my K7 with the K5. A more competent AF-C would be icing on the proverbial cake. Also, for what it's worth, I can attest to the fact that the AF itself is quicker with the K5 than the K7 (in terms of locking time). The AF seems more decisive and there are fewer "micro-corrections" at the end right before it locks. This was true for both screw-driven lenses and SDM lenses.

10-16-2010, 09:32 PM	#13
Conan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Philippines Posts: 99	Originally posted by dgaies The AF seems more decisive and there are fewer "micro-corrections" at the end right before it locks. This was true for both screw-driven lenses and SDM lenses. So is it correct for me to say that there are still some "micro-corrections" before it locks focus?

10-16-2010, 09:42 PM	#14
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Conan So is it correct for me to say that there are still some "micro-corrections" before it locks focus? The focus is very quick and decisive under adequate lighting. In conditions with poor lighting (like the room I'm in now, lit by a single 60w bulb) I think it's fair to say that there are still occasional "micro-corrections" (for lack of a better phrase) before locking.

10-17-2010, 04:33 AM	#15
fikkser Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Borlänge, Sweden Posts: 373	Do you miss spot AF? I've seen spot af on a 7D and I would love that on my pentax.