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tabl10s · 10-13-2011, 02:58 PM

the focus assist hexagon illuminates the same time as the "red rectangle" which is what I used as a barometer. The camera also beeps when in focus. is this a faulty way to use the K-5(the manual is so long and I tire of jumping back-n-forth for info)?

Adam · 10-13-2011, 03:09 PM

Wait wait wait, the K-5 has a built-in weather station now?

RioRico · 10-13-2011, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Wait wait wait, the K-5 has a built-in weather station now?

My Olympus 770-SW is good down to 10m underwater. It include a manometer or pressure gauge, which indicates elevations up to 5000m. Or, if you're at a known elevation, it functions as a... barometer! If it only had an ambient.temp thermometer and a wet+dry-bulb hydrometer, it would be a total weather station!

[/me swings the little Oly around to get a relative humidity reading]

SpecialK · 10-13-2011, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by tabl10s

the focus assist hexagon illuminates the same time as the "red rectangle" which is what I used as a barometer. The camera also beeps when in focus. is this a faulty way to use the K-5(the manual is so long and I tire of jumping back-n-forth for info)?

Only read the part of the manual that covers your issue.

The hexagon will be solid and there is a concurrent beep (if enabled). If you use auto AF points, I guess it will illuminate when the chosen point has locked focus.

tabl10s · 10-13-2011, 08:18 PM

Adam,

Yes and a Lighthouse too.

tabl10s · 10-13-2011, 08:21 PM

Too bad there's no focus aid when using the LCD.

JinDesu · 10-13-2011, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by tabl10s

Too bad there's no focus aid when using the LCD.

Press info to zoom in.

sterretje · 10-14-2011, 02:45 AM

Problem with the focus indicators is that they don't 'stay on' so if the distance between camera and subject changes after focus has been achieved, you will not have an indication that focus is lost.

So yes, it's the wrong way and it's better to rely on the hexagon. I also am /was in the habit of relying on the focus indicators and I'm still training myself not to rely on the beep / focus indicators but on the hexagon.

jake14mw · 10-14-2011, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

Problem with the focus indicators is that they don't 'stay on' so if the distance between camera and subject changes after focus has been achieved, you will not have an indication that focus is lost.

So yes, it's the wrong way and it's better to rely on the hexagon. I also am /was in the habit of relying on the focus indicators and I'm still training myself not to rely on the beep / focus indicators but on the hexagon.

Can you explain a little more what you mean? I want to make sure I'm not missing something. I rely on the beep, but know I have to refocus if the distance changes. I don't pay attention to the hexagon. You're saying that the hexagon always in going on or off based on if the subject is in focus or not regardless of the focus mode your in, or if you're still half pressing the shutter? Maybe I need to pay more attention to it.

sterretje · 10-14-2011, 08:50 AM

I have to apologize a little as was a bit confused. I have been using M42 lenses mostly lately so my above post only relates to camera in MF; in which case the hexagon indeed switches off when focus is lost; in AF it indeed does not.

rfortson · 10-14-2011, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by tabl10s

the focus assist hexagon illuminates the same time as the "red rectangle" which is what I used as a barometer. The camera also beeps when in focus. is this a faulty way to use the K-5(the manual is so long and I tire of jumping back-n-forth for info)?

Use the hexagon. The red rectangle shows you where the camera is focusing and the hexagon shows you it has achieved focus. Because the camera achieves focus quickly, you'll see both indications (red rectangle and hexagon) about the same time. Train yourself to use the hexagon though, because occasionally the camera will take a moment to focus (say, if it's low light or low contrast).

tabl10s · 10-14-2011, 05:53 PM

Cool.

10-13-2011, 02:58 PM	#1
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	K-5 AF hexagon... the focus assist hexagon illuminates the same time as the "red rectangle" which is what I used as a barometer. The camera also beeps when in focus. is this a faulty way to use the K-5(the manual is so long and I tire of jumping back-n-forth for info)?

10-13-2011, 03:09 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Wait wait wait, the K-5 has a built-in weather station now? Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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10-13-2011, 03:18 PM	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Adam Wait wait wait, the K-5 has a built-in weather station now? My Olympus 770-SW is good down to 10m underwater. It include a manometer or pressure gauge, which indicates elevations up to 5000m. Or, if you're at a known elevation, it functions as a... barometer! If it only had an ambient.temp thermometer and a wet+dry-bulb hydrometer, it would be a total weather station! [/me swings the little Oly around to get a relative humidity reading]

10-13-2011, 03:25 PM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Originally posted by tabl10s the focus assist hexagon illuminates the same time as the "red rectangle" which is what I used as a barometer. The camera also beeps when in focus. is this a faulty way to use the K-5(the manual is so long and I tire of jumping back-n-forth for info)? Only read the part of the manual that covers your issue. The hexagon will be solid and there is a concurrent beep (if enabled). If you use auto AF points, I guess it will illuminate when the chosen point has locked focus.

10-13-2011, 08:18 PM	#5
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424 Original Poster	Adam, Yes and a Lighthouse too.

10-13-2011, 08:21 PM	#6
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424 Original Poster	Too bad there's no focus aid when using the LCD.

10-13-2011, 08:27 PM	#7
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by tabl10s Too bad there's no focus aid when using the LCD. Press info to zoom in.

10-14-2011, 02:45 AM	#8
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Problem with the focus indicators is that they don't 'stay on' so if the distance between camera and subject changes after focus has been achieved, you will not have an indication that focus is lost. So yes, it's the wrong way and it's better to rely on the hexagon. I also am /was in the habit of relying on the focus indicators and I'm still training myself not to rely on the beep / focus indicators but on the hexagon.

10-14-2011, 06:36 AM	#9
jake14mw Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 977	Originally posted by sterretje Problem with the focus indicators is that they don't 'stay on' so if the distance between camera and subject changes after focus has been achieved, you will not have an indication that focus is lost. So yes, it's the wrong way and it's better to rely on the hexagon. I also am /was in the habit of relying on the focus indicators and I'm still training myself not to rely on the beep / focus indicators but on the hexagon. Can you explain a little more what you mean? I want to make sure I'm not missing something. I rely on the beep, but know I have to refocus if the distance changes. I don't pay attention to the hexagon. You're saying that the hexagon always in going on or off based on if the subject is in focus or not regardless of the focus mode your in, or if you're still half pressing the shutter? Maybe I need to pay more attention to it.

10-14-2011, 08:50 AM	#10
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	I have to apologize a little as was a bit confused. I have been using M42 lenses mostly lately so my above post only relates to camera in MF; in which case the hexagon indeed switches off when focus is lost; in AF it indeed does not.

10-14-2011, 01:46 PM	#11
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	Originally posted by tabl10s the focus assist hexagon illuminates the same time as the "red rectangle" which is what I used as a barometer. The camera also beeps when in focus. is this a faulty way to use the K-5(the manual is so long and I tire of jumping back-n-forth for info)? Use the hexagon. The red rectangle shows you where the camera is focusing and the hexagon shows you it has achieved focus. Because the camera achieves focus quickly, you'll see both indications (red rectangle and hexagon) about the same time. Train yourself to use the hexagon though, because occasionally the camera will take a moment to focus (say, if it's low light or low contrast).

10-14-2011, 05:53 PM	#12
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424 Original Poster	Cool.

K-5 AF hexagon...

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