Any news about Pentax AF system breakthrough?

ogl · 01-29-2017, 03:56 AM

As we know the most photo companies implement different new technologies in AF system.
Canon - Dual Pixel AF system + very advanced phase AF
Nikon has simply the best phase AF system
Sony, Fuji and Olympus - Hybrid AF system - rather advanced already
Panasonic - Depth from Defocus AF system

Ricoh - archaistic phase and contrast AF - nothing new at all.
Hybrid AF in K-70 is used only for video with several lenses and no any serious explanation of this system in marketing information.

When will we see something new? How do you think - could we see new AF system this year?

There was information about possibility of using SR system for better focusing, but...

**ffking** · 01-29-2017, 04:02 AM

Ricoh will do their own thing in their own time - but we know they are trying

Kunzite · 01-29-2017, 04:09 AM

For a while, Pentax was leading in low light sensitivity. So it's not like they're doing nothing

ogl · 01-29-2017, 04:15 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

For a while, Pentax was leading in low light sensitivity. So it's not like they're doing nothing

On paper - yes. For several months. My K-5IIs has EV-3, but it doesn't help in real life.

Kunzite · 01-29-2017, 04:19 AM

I noticed a real improvement.

ogl · 01-29-2017, 04:24 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

I noticed a real improvement.

But it can't cancel the fact that we don't see any serious steps from Ricoh in this direction.
To put sensor with higher sensitivity is not new technology.

totsmuyco · 01-29-2017, 04:40 AM

I'm not a technical person but, I think improvements on the lens motors would help a lot. Like the new 55-300 with PLM technology. Just my thought, Pentax should upgrade their lens line up.

Kunzite · 01-29-2017, 04:41 AM - **4 Likes**

And "Nikon has simply the best phase AF system" is new technology?
Sour grapes. In real life, I noticed significant AF improvements, from the K-5IIs to the K-1 - and with my new lenses. And I will continue to notice significant AF improvements, because I can afford it. I don't have to pretend it doesn't happen.

ogl · 01-29-2017, 04:46 AM

Originally posted by totsmuyco

I'm not a technical person but, I think improvements on the lens motors would help a lot. Like the new 55-300 with PLM technology. Just my thought, Pentax should upgrade their lens line up.

It helps too.

house · 01-29-2017, 04:47 AM

Pentax is not a very communicative company. I'm sure a different marketing department would phrase that "algorithm improvement " rather differently...

rawr · 01-29-2017, 04:50 AM

I am sure Pentax could match Nikon's (or anyone else's) AF if they wanted to. It's fundamentally a matter of engineering, resources and priorities, not magic.

biz-engineer · 01-29-2017, 04:51 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

And "Nikon has simply the best phase AF system" is new technology? Sour grapes. In real life, I noticed significant AF improvements, from the K-5IIs to the K-1 - and with my new lenses. And I will continue to notice significant AF improvements, because I can afford it.

Mentioning other brands is more a manifest of envy, rather than a need.

Originally posted by ogl

Any news about Pentax AF system breakthrough? As we know the most photo companies implement different new technologies in AF system. Canon - Dual Pixel AF system + very advanced phase AF Nikon has simply the best phase AF system Sony, Fuji and Olympus - Hybrid AF system - rather advanced already Panasonic - Depth from Defocus AF system Ricoh - archaistic phase and contrast AF - nothing new at all. Hybrid AF in K-70 is used only for video with several lenses and no any serious explanation of this system in marketing information. When will we see something new? How do you think - could we see new AF system this year? There was information about possibility of using SR system for better focusing, but...

You use a K5IIs. So, in order to get a significant improvement of AF performance without switching to Nikon, Pentax does not need to raise a finger for you, you only need to buy a K3 :-). And show us all of your nice AF tracking shots.

ogl · 01-29-2017, 04:51 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

And "Nikon has simply the best phase AF system" is new technology?

There is something new in this old technology.
Check D5 and D500's AF system. It's extensive way in some aspects, but very effective.
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d5-pro-dslr-review/9

Ricoh has no even something close.

biz-engineer · 01-29-2017, 04:54 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

You use a K5IIs. So, in order to get a significant improvement of AF performance without switching to Nikon, Pentax does not need to raise a finger for you, you only need to buy a K3 :-). And show us all of your nice AF tracking shots.

I mean, if Pentax AF is dinosaur, having a camera that's two generation behind the lastly released Pentax gear, place you back in pre-dinausorus era.

Kunzite · 01-29-2017, 04:56 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Mentioning other brands is more a manifest of envy, rather than a need.

Well, I could've jumped to Nikon instead going K-1, so it's not me. It's not you either. Who is it, then?

01-29-2017, 03:56 AM	#1
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Any news about Pentax AF system breakthrough? As we know the most photo companies implement different new technologies in AF system. Canon - Dual Pixel AF system + very advanced phase AF Nikon has simply the best phase AF system Sony, Fuji and Olympus - Hybrid AF system - rather advanced already Panasonic - Depth from Defocus AF system Ricoh - archaistic phase and contrast AF - nothing new at all. Hybrid AF in K-70 is used only for video with several lenses and no any serious explanation of this system in marketing information. When will we see something new? How do you think - could we see new AF system this year? There was information about possibility of using SR system for better focusing, but...

01-29-2017, 04:51 AM	#13
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kunzite And "Nikon has simply the best phase AF system" is new technology? There is something new in this old technology. Check D5 and D500's AF system. It's extensive way in some aspects, but very effective. https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d5-pro-dslr-review/9 Ricoh has no even something close. Last edited by ogl; 01-29-2017 at 04:58 AM.

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01-29-2017, 04:02 AM	#2
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	Ricoh will do their own thing in their own time - but we know they are trying

01-29-2017, 04:09 AM	#3
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	For a while, Pentax was leading in low light sensitivity. So it's not like they're doing nothing

01-29-2017, 04:15 AM	#4
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kunzite For a while, Pentax was leading in low light sensitivity. So it's not like they're doing nothing On paper - yes. For several months. My K-5IIs has EV-3, but it doesn't help in real life.

01-29-2017, 04:19 AM	#5
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	I noticed a real improvement.

01-29-2017, 04:24 AM	#6
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kunzite I noticed a real improvement. But it can't cancel the fact that we don't see any serious steps from Ricoh in this direction. To put sensor with higher sensitivity is not new technology.

01-29-2017, 04:40 AM	#7
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	I'm not a technical person but, I think improvements on the lens motors would help a lot. Like the new 55-300 with PLM technology. Just my thought, Pentax should upgrade their lens line up.

01-29-2017, 04:41 AM - 4 Likes	#8
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	And "Nikon has simply the best phase AF system" is new technology? Sour grapes. In real life, I noticed significant AF improvements, from the K-5IIs to the K-1 - and with my new lenses. And I will continue to notice significant AF improvements, because I can afford it. I don't have to pretend it doesn't happen.

01-29-2017, 04:46 AM	#9
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382 Original Poster	Originally posted by totsmuyco I'm not a technical person but, I think improvements on the lens motors would help a lot. Like the new 55-300 with PLM technology. Just my thought, Pentax should upgrade their lens line up. It helps too.

01-29-2017, 04:47 AM	#10
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Pentax is not a very communicative company. I'm sure a different marketing department would phrase that "algorithm improvement " rather differently...

01-29-2017, 04:50 AM	#11
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	I am sure Pentax could match Nikon's (or anyone else's) AF if they wanted to. It's fundamentally a matter of engineering, resources and priorities, not magic.

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01-29-2017, 04:51 AM	#12
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,225	Originally posted by Kunzite And "Nikon has simply the best phase AF system" is new technology? Sour grapes. In real life, I noticed significant AF improvements, from the K-5IIs to the K-1 - and with my new lenses. And I will continue to notice significant AF improvements, because I can afford it. Mentioning other brands is more a manifest of envy, rather than a need. Originally posted by ogl Any news about Pentax AF system breakthrough? As we know the most photo companies implement different new technologies in AF system. Canon - Dual Pixel AF system + very advanced phase AF Nikon has simply the best phase AF system Sony, Fuji and Olympus - Hybrid AF system - rather advanced already Panasonic - Depth from Defocus AF system Ricoh - archaistic phase and contrast AF - nothing new at all. Hybrid AF in K-70 is used only for video with several lenses and no any serious explanation of this system in marketing information. When will we see something new? How do you think - could we see new AF system this year? There was information about possibility of using SR system for better focusing, but... You use a K5IIs. So, in order to get a significant improvement of AF performance without switching to Nikon, Pentax does not need to raise a finger for you, you only need to buy a K3 :-). And show us all of your nice AF tracking shots.

01-29-2017, 04:54 AM	#14
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,225	Originally posted by biz-engineer You use a K5IIs. So, in order to get a significant improvement of AF performance without switching to Nikon, Pentax does not need to raise a finger for you, you only need to buy a K3 :-). And show us all of your nice AF tracking shots. I mean, if Pentax AF is dinosaur, having a camera that's two generation behind the lastly released Pentax gear, place you back in pre-dinausorus era.

01-29-2017, 04:56 AM	#15
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by biz-engineer Mentioning other brands is more a manifest of envy, rather than a need. Well, I could've jumped to Nikon instead going K-1, so it's not me. It's not you either. Who is it, then?