Pentax lack of Full Frame

Franky2step · 09-22-2012, 11:04 AM

Okay, I almost ordered a Nikon D600 today, along with AF-D 35mm f2, AF-S 50mm f1.8G, AF-S 85mm f1.8G and a AF-S 16-36 f4 VR. Had them all in my basket because I am tired of the crappy manual focus capabilities of my K5. Even with a Katzeye focusing screen it sucks for me. I shimmed it but it's still way off. Can I stack shims? Any suggestions to sort this out? I have many Pentax lenses I would have to sell, that's what stopped me...I don't need higher resolution, I want to be able to use a gawd damn f1.4 or f1.8 lens and nail the focus. In the past year I have deleted so many oof shots t's ridiculous. Formerly I had a 5D MKII which focused better, and manual focus was a dream with the Eg-S focusing screen..no shim adjustments required. Is there somewhere I can send my K5 into to have it done professionally (Niagara area)

TenZ.NL · 09-22-2012, 11:14 AM

You can either have it checked and if nescessary fixed or wait for the tests and reviews of the K5 II. If that`s no good either you can allways jump ship

vonBaloney · 09-22-2012, 11:17 AM

Get the S-type screen from focusingscreen.com -- it comes with shims, just have to find the right one. Got mine spot-on.

Or if you like the Katzeye, just shim it correctly -- you can use bits of tape if you lack shims. Just takes time and patience to get it right.

Na Horuk · 09-22-2012, 11:30 AM

There are different sized shims, I think it would be worth it to try those before such a drastic move as changing so much gear. Use a combination of focus chart and live view to compare PD AF and the results.
Edit: also, a full frame does not mean better focus (though they usually do have more focus points)

**Pål Jensen** · 09-22-2012, 11:30 AM

Tried the O-ME53 eyepiece?

Franky2step · 09-22-2012, 12:21 PM

I have the focusing screen.com and a split Katzeye, and can focus by eye without the auto-focus confirmation, but using the green hexagon auto-focus aid, focus is WAY off. Can I stack shims to get it right?

Pablom · 09-22-2012, 12:26 PM

why didn't you keep the 5D MKII? that sounds like a good solution.

vonBaloney · 09-22-2012, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by Franky2step

I have the focusing screen.com and a split Katzeye, and can focus by eye without the auto-focus confirmation, but using the green hexagon auto-focus aid, focus is WAY off. Can I stack shims to get it right?

As I understand it, the focus screen has nothing to do with that -- sounds like your autofocus is just off. You want to shim it for eye, so it sounds like your shims are fine.

vladimiroltean · 09-22-2012, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by Franky2step

Can I stack shims?

Lol.. of course?
Instead of a Katzeye screen, you might rather enjoy a Canon screen - focusingscreen.com offer some great Canon stuff cut to fit the K-5, along with many other tools and shims for easy installing.
Why don't you use live view more often? Are you afraid people will look at you like "he's not a pro"?

johnyates · 09-22-2012, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by Franky2step

using the green hexagon auto-focus aid, focus is WAY off. Can I stack shims to get it right?

No. But you can use the AF adjust to get it right.

ElJamoquio · 09-22-2012, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by kcobain1992

hy don't you use live view more often? Are you afraid people will look at you like "he's not a pro"?

Why get a DSLR at all, if you have to use live view to focus?

vladimiroltean · 09-22-2012, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by ElJamoquio

Why get a DSLR at all, if you have to use live view to focus?

Jeez... why live if you die anyway?

ElJamoquio · 09-22-2012, 03:07 PM

That's really not a parallel statement at all.

vladimiroltean · 09-22-2012, 03:10 PM

Ok, let me give you a more direct reason: because you can. And because it helps.

TenZ.NL · 09-22-2012, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by kcobain1992

And because it helps.

Does it? I guess that depends on your shootingstyle. Maybe on a tripod shooting static subjects and or studiowork but I prefer to focus through the OVF because you can shoot (allmost) instantly and for better support when handheld. I don`t see myself using LV when shooting BIFs, wildlife or bugs.

09-22-2012, 11:04 AM	#1
Franky2step Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Pentax lack of Full Frame Okay, I almost ordered a Nikon D600 today, along with AF-D 35mm f2, AF-S 50mm f1.8G, AF-S 85mm f1.8G and a AF-S 16-36 f4 VR. Had them all in my basket because I am tired of the crappy manual focus capabilities of my K5. Even with a Katzeye focusing screen it sucks for me. I shimmed it but it's still way off. Can I stack shims? Any suggestions to sort this out? I have many Pentax lenses I would have to sell, that's what stopped me...I don't need higher resolution, I want to be able to use a gawd damn f1.4 or f1.8 lens and nail the focus. In the past year I have deleted so many oof shots t's ridiculous. Formerly I had a 5D MKII which focused better, and manual focus was a dream with the Eg-S focusing screen..no shim adjustments required. Is there somewhere I can send my K5 into to have it done professionally (Niagara area)

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09-22-2012, 11:14 AM	#2
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100	You can either have it checked and if nescessary fixed or wait for the tests and reviews of the K5 II. If that`s no good either you can allways jump ship

09-22-2012, 11:17 AM	#3
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Get the S-type screen from focusingscreen.com -- it comes with shims, just have to find the right one. Got mine spot-on. Or if you like the Katzeye, just shim it correctly -- you can use bits of tape if you lack shims. Just takes time and patience to get it right.

09-22-2012, 11:30 AM	#4
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	There are different sized shims, I think it would be worth it to try those before such a drastic move as changing so much gear. Use a combination of focus chart and live view to compare PD AF and the results. Edit: also, a full frame does not mean better focus (though they usually do have more focus points)

09-22-2012, 11:30 AM	#5
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Tried the O-ME53 eyepiece?

09-22-2012, 12:21 PM	#6
Franky2step Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	I have the focusing screen.com and a split Katzeye, and can focus by eye without the auto-focus confirmation, but using the green hexagon auto-focus aid, focus is WAY off. Can I stack shims to get it right?

09-22-2012, 12:26 PM	#7
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	why didn't you keep the 5D MKII? that sounds like a good solution.

09-22-2012, 12:27 PM	#8
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by Franky2step I have the focusing screen.com and a split Katzeye, and can focus by eye without the auto-focus confirmation, but using the green hexagon auto-focus aid, focus is WAY off. Can I stack shims to get it right? As I understand it, the focus screen has nothing to do with that -- sounds like your autofocus is just off. You want to shim it for eye, so it sounds like your shims are fine.

09-22-2012, 12:37 PM	#9
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	Originally posted by Franky2step Can I stack shims? Lol.. of course? Instead of a Katzeye screen, you might rather enjoy a Canon screen - focusingscreen.com offer some great Canon stuff cut to fit the K-5, along with many other tools and shims for easy installing. Why don't you use live view more often? Are you afraid people will look at you like "he's not a pro"?

09-22-2012, 12:43 PM	#10
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	Originally posted by Franky2step using the green hexagon auto-focus aid, focus is WAY off. Can I stack shims to get it right? No. But you can use the AF adjust to get it right.

09-22-2012, 02:21 PM	#11
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	Originally posted by kcobain1992 hy don't you use live view more often? Are you afraid people will look at you like "he's not a pro"? Why get a DSLR at all, if you have to use live view to focus?

09-22-2012, 02:28 PM	#12
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	Originally posted by ElJamoquio Why get a DSLR at all, if you have to use live view to focus? Jeez... why live if you die anyway?

09-22-2012, 03:07 PM	#13
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	That's really not a parallel statement at all.

09-22-2012, 03:10 PM	#14
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	Ok, let me give you a more direct reason: because you can. And because it helps.

09-22-2012, 03:44 PM	#15
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100	Originally posted by kcobain1992 And because it helps. Does it? I guess that depends on your shootingstyle. Maybe on a tripod shooting static subjects and or studiowork but I prefer to focus through the OVF because you can shoot (allmost) instantly and for better support when handheld. I don`t see myself using LV when shooting BIFs, wildlife or bugs.