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03-03-2011, 08:34 PM   #1
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Is this a front focusing camera problem or lens problem? Lens tests

I just recently acquired a DA40 and right away I noticed it was taking blurry pictures, even on a tripod with a IR remote. After messing around with it I was pretty certain it was front focusing. I had originally suspected that I might have FF problems with my body, but after posting some pictures here I was told I didn't, and 90% of the time I shoot in natural light so tungsten ff wouldn't of been noticed.

Well today I had a chance to take my da40 out and test it on the town, and it took some fabulous pictures, virtually all of which were in focus... which leads to me to think the front focus problems are only under tungsten.

I printed out a focus sheet, mounted my camera on a tripod and used my IR remote for these pictures. Shake reduction was disabled just in case you are wondering.

I also tested my 18-55mm kit lens and my 50-200mm telephoto. As far as I can tell the DA40 has extreme front focus problems, the 18-55mm also seems to be front focusing, but the 50-200mm seems to be focusing mostly fine.

Here the pictures of my tests, is this a camera or lens problem? What should I do?

DA40mm

18-55mm

50-200mm

I believe you can click and look at my flickr to see the all of test shots I took. Help and opinions are greatly appreciated. I realized after taking the first round of shots that I most likely should of done them vertically. Let me know if I should redo the others. Thanks,

Aaron

03-03-2011, 11:44 PM   #2
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It's a camera issue. You must noticed just the fact that the front focus decreases with the increase of the focal, when you take pictures at the approximately the same distance from the subject.

PS: please, when you (all) attach photos, leave the Exif embedded into the photos.

Last edited by ursamajor; 03-03-2011 at 11:53 PM.
03-04-2011, 12:56 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by ursamajor Quote
It's a camera issue. You must noticed just the fact that the front focus decreases with the increase of the focal, when you take pictures at the approximately the same distance from the subject.

PS: please, when you (all) attach photos, leave the Exif embedded into the photos.
Does this mean I need to send my camera to pentax and get it re-calibrated? Also how do I leave the Exif?

Last edited by Metalwizards; 03-04-2011 at 01:02 AM.
03-04-2011, 01:05 AM   #4
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You must wait the firmware fix, IF possible and IF Pentax will deign to release it. The option to keep the Exif must be present into your editing software.

03-04-2011, 01:17 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by ursamajor Quote
You must wait the firmware fix, IF possible and IF Pentax will deign to release it. The option to keep the Exif must be present into your editing software.
Is the firmware fix confirmed or speculation? I didn't use any editing software on those pictures.
03-04-2011, 01:23 AM   #6
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For now remember if your below EV 1 that manual focus is pretty much necessary. Which in turn justifies the purchase of a nice Katzeye focusing screen
03-04-2011, 02:47 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Metalwizards Quote
Is the firmware fix confirmed or speculation?
Who knows? Pentax didn't say nothing yet.

QuoteOriginally posted by Metalwizards Quote
I didn't use any editing software on those pictures.
How you resized your pictures? Or maybe your upload site did it? And erased the Exif.


Last edited by ursamajor; 03-04-2011 at 03:09 AM.
03-04-2011, 04:30 AM   #8
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I'm a little worried about my DA40 also, i'm getting sharp shots with my DA*50-135 @ 2.8 but soft with the DA40 @ 2.8.
03-04-2011, 09:46 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by figmental1978 Quote
I'm a little worried about my DA40 also, i'm getting sharp shots with my DA*50-135 @ 2.8 but soft with the DA40 @ 2.8.
How about calibrating (AF finetune)? K-r does support that if I'm not mistaken; it's global on the K-r and therefore also affects other lenses so you must adjust when swapping lenses.
03-04-2011, 01:03 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by sterretje Quote
How about calibrating (AF finetune)? K-r does support that if I'm not mistaken; it's global on the K-r and therefore also affects other lenses so you must adjust when swapping lenses.
I wasn't aware of that, I will give a go tonight and see how it changes the results.

EDIT: I adjusted to -10, and was able to get perfect tests in natural light, it's a bit too bright in my house to test under tungsten atm. Will check later. Maybe this will be all it takes.

Last edited by Metalwizards; 03-04-2011 at 02:28 PM.
03-05-2011, 12:45 AM   #11
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hmm I wonder where AF finetune could be with the K-5.. I have reading to do i guess... I'm a little disappointed so far with the sharpness of my 43mm Ltd. maybe I can tweak it!
03-05-2011, 02:28 PM   #12
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This is what I got setting AF finetune to -10. Seems to be much much better, but still slightly front focusing. Though I think I can live with this for now, but I hope they have a firmware fix incoming.

DA40
03-05-2011, 07:10 PM   #13
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2-6 mm correction isnt really a big deal if u arent shooting documents even eyebrows are at that length. i can suggest waiting for firmware, if u dont have a backup for 20 workin days
03-05-2011, 08:26 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by deathdream Quote
2-6 mm correction isnt really a big deal if u arent shooting documents even eyebrows are at that length. i can suggest waiting for firmware, if u dont have a backup for 20 workin days
Yeah with the -10 adjustment the picture is much better. I am wondering, does the AF fine tuning have any effect on live view autofocus?
03-05-2011, 09:44 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Metalwizards Quote
Yeah with the -10 adjustment the picture is much better. I am wondering, does the AF fine tuning have any effect on live view autofocus?
Just try it; take a shot in LV with current setting; next put it on +10 and take another shot and try it. Compare the results
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