Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
05-20-2015, 03:55 PM   #1
New Member




Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 21
Trouble with autofocus- setting recommendations

I just bought my first auto focus lens (a DA 40mm 2.8 limited)

I normally shoot manual focus lenses but wanted an auto for shooing my daughter who is always on the move- making quickly focusig hard.

I tried all of the options for autofocus (5 point, 11 point- dont't have the camera in front of me, so going memory there) but when using it pretty much always picks a central point.

If I have to play around with multiple halfway shutter presses to get the focal point I want I don't see the need for an auto lens :/

Any tips about what autofocus settings you find work well on the K-r?

05-20-2015, 04:06 PM   #2
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,558
I'd go with the central point (spot AF). Pentax's multi-point AF system is still basically in its infancy compared to other implementations, but it does work well with a single point.

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:
05-20-2015, 04:08 PM   #3
VBW
New Member




Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 21
Original Poster
Thanks, do you frame up in center, half release shutter then reframe with that method?
05-20-2015, 04:25 PM   #4
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,558
QuoteOriginally posted by VBW Quote
Thanks, do you frame up in center, half release shutter then reframe with that method?
Yup. It's commonly known as focus-recompose if you wanted to research it in other threads- there should be plenty here on the forum.


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:
05-20-2015, 04:59 PM   #5
VBW
New Member




Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 21
Original Poster
Awesome, thanks!
05-20-2015, 05:23 PM   #6
Veteran Member
MadMathMind's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,717
QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
Yup. It's commonly known as focus-recompose if you wanted to research it in other threads- there should be plenty here on the forum.
I've actually had a number of shots be slightly off with focus-recompose with a wide aperture. If you change the angle to get the center point on the spot you want, the distance will be different in your recomposition. When you have narrow DoF, this means you may be quite a bit off because the focus was 100% to begin with. I find it better to select the point manually. Only downside is that it takes a bit longer but I've had a bit better luck with it.
05-20-2015, 08:01 PM   #7
VBW
New Member




Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 21
Original Poster
Yeah, after more playing with it- I am more accurate with the focus with manually focus than I am with focus- recompose. So I think I'll be selling this lens off (just have to get another 40mm or a 35mm to replace it first.)

Back to the older lenses I go!

Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
auto, autofocus, camera, focus, k-r, kr, lens, pentax k-r
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
K-5 Autofocus switch won't turn to M setting EssJayEff Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 7 09-03-2014 10:06 AM
Pentax 35mm and 50mm autofocus primes recommendations please geekette Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 12 12-17-2013 02:05 PM
28mm with A setting: Recommendations? scratchpaddy Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 3 03-06-2013 12:30 PM
setting autofocus with the self timer frazzy Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 3 01-16-2011 06:06 PM
Trouble setting f stop on K7 with SMC FA 50mm 1.4 boy_and_wolf Pentax DSLR Discussion 2 11-29-2009 04:22 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:33 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top