Anybody with mirror problems with K30? Focus problems.

simbon4o · 10-01-2012, 09:15 AM

My problem is that today I have tried my new K30 with Samyang 85 shooting landscapes and it appears that my mirror is not on the right place and I see in the viewfinder the focus on infinity, the confirmation beeps right there but actually it was not there. So anybody else with the same problem?

Adam · 10-01-2012, 10:00 AM

So you're getting blurry shots? Could you post a few samples?

Remember that with manual focus lenses, the AF confirmation is approximate, so your best bet to get sharp photos if you're going to rely on AF confirmation is to stop the lens down.

JinDesu · 10-01-2012, 10:03 AM

Two things:

1) AF beep isn't AF confirmation. The hexagon is AF confirmation. Don't follow the beep, follow the hexagon.
2) What do you mean, your mirror is off? Like, off center?

**crewl1** · 10-01-2012, 10:10 AM

If anything is off it might be your focusing screen that needs shimming, not the mirror.
For landscapes and other shots where infinity focus is critical it is probably a good idea to rely on liveview and leverage the focus peaking of the K-30.

simbon4o · 10-01-2012, 11:10 AM

Well I have confirmation with beep and red light and the focus is so off the infinity that it gets like a big problem. The confirmation and what I see are ok, but after that the focus is not where it should be. I thought it could be from not perfectly screwed bayonet but it wasn't. With lifeview - no problem but I like to shoot trough the viewfinder especially with this one because it makes my ex K200 viewfinder look like pinhole

. The problem is like this - in the viewfinder I see and the confirmation beeps and lights up when the focus ring of the samyang 85 is on around 20m, after I turn the ring to infinity I see the landscape not focused, the camera did not confirm focus, but the photo is perfectly focused. I make the tests on 1.4 so the problem is very easy to be seen.
The problem was spotted earlier when I was not able to focus one bush on about 5-6m from me, I have tried 20 times maybe and every time it was not in focus, it was also against the sunset so the peeking was 100% unusable.

PS If the problem was with focus screen I think that the confirmation and what I see will not match, that's why I think it is the mirror. Tomorrow I'm calling the service! I think that the mirror is not in it's proper place and that makes the viewfinder not accurate.

JinDesu · 10-01-2012, 11:28 AM

Again - the beep is not to be trusted. The red light also. The green hexagon is the only thing that says it is in focus or not (unless that is off as well).

If the hexagon is off, then your AF system might be inaccurate, not the mirror. I don't think the mirror affects the AF readings (since the AF module is under the mirror). If someone can correct me, that'd be great.

FruitLooPs · 10-01-2012, 11:41 AM

Also since you've said you're taking shots of this bush at F1.4 are you sure that it isn't in focus and just such thin DOF that you're assuming you've missed?

It really is very hard to focus accurately @ F1.4 via viewfinder. Unless you had the lens stopped down a bit at least, it would be much preferable to use liveview as said.

Any chance of some test images, where its focusing vs where you have the impression of it being focused?

everydaylife · 10-01-2012, 04:01 PM

When I first started using manual lenses on my K5 I thought the beep and the centre focus point were confirmation of focus and was getting oof shots and then someone kindly pointed out on this forum that focus confirmation is indicated by the green hexagon. Now I turn off the red centre focus point because I find it too distracting. Not sure if you can do this in the k30 though.

simbon4o · 10-01-2012, 10:31 PM

For everyone- the green hexagon was confirming with the red light and beeping, I know when my camera focuses.

Originally posted by FruitLooPs

Also since you've said you're taking shots of this bush at F1.4 are you sure that it isn't in focus and just such thin DOF that you're assuming you've missed?

It really is very hard to focus accurately @ F1.4 via viewfinder. Unless you had the lens stopped down a bit at least, it would be much preferable to use liveview as said.

Any chance of some test images, where its focusing vs where you have the impression of it being focused?

Well I'm pretty sure when something is in focus and when not, it is so visible when I zoom the image 8x on the display. Plus I have 80% success to the moment with my ex K200 and that lens on 1.4, so I'm sure the problem is not in me or the AF confirmation. Again the same situation - the bush, When I saw that I can't relay on the viewfinder or the lifeview with peeking for that situation I have tried the gunner way - move the focus a little shoot, move again shoot... after doing that on the 4-th try it hitted the bush but in the viewfinder the focus was visible around meter or two after the bush so I'm pretty sure the problem is with the mirror. The same thing happens when the mirror is not positioned right on the film cameras but they are old - it is possible, my K30 is around 160-200 frames from new.

PS When I wrote about my problem in our local pentax forum there was other guys with the same problem. Anyway I'm calling the service today and let's hope that the mirror is adjustable.

rawr · 10-02-2012, 12:46 AM

Use centre-spot AF and test against something static, flat and contrasty, not a bush.
A bush is a 3D object and also contrast edges are variable, so it's a poor AF target. Plus as DOF at 6m with an 85@1.4 is about 20cm, shooting a bush means you could have lots of it perfectly in focus but it would be hard to say whether the AF got what was your target in focus.

lister6520 · 10-02-2012, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by simbon4o

For everyone- the green hexagon was confirming with the red light and beeping,
......

... When I saw that I can't relay on the viewfinder or the lifeview with peeking for that situation I have tried the gunner way

.....

Note that when using live view the mirror is irrelevant as it is completely removed from the light path. What you see in the live view is what will be recorded when you shoot the photo.

If the focus peeking is not accurate enough I suggest you magnify the live view image instead, you can then check the focus almost as accurately as you can see when magnifying the image on the computer screen. (Press the OK button in live view and rotate the rear e-dial to increase magnification)

If you still get out of focus shots that way with live view then there must be something very odd going on, perhaps something wrong with the image stabilisation mechanism, but for sure it would have absolutely nothing to do with the mirror.

One important question - do you get the same problem even with other lenses or just with that particular lens?

Could you post some sample photos maybe they will give some clue as to what is happening ?

simbon4o · 10-02-2012, 09:47 PM

The problem is the same with all lenses, longer lenses makes it more visible.

Anyway, today the lens will arrive in the local service and they told me that the body have problem with the focus screen. If the screen is not moveable and they can't fix it, they will replace the hole kit(with 18-55WR) with another one.

**crewl1** · 10-02-2012, 11:01 PM

Originally posted by simbon4o

they told me that the body have problem with the focus screen

See my post #4 (I'm right at least once a year

)

simbon4o · 10-03-2012, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

See my post #4 (I'm right at least once a year

)

Yeap! 100% right! I hope that the local service will succeed to adjust it for good soon. Or at least change the camera with another one... It is awful to leave me cameraless in the start of the autumn here!

ofer4 · 08-28-2013, 10:39 PM

simbon4o... I realize that this thread is a bit dated, but did your K-30 get fixed to your satisfaction? Did they replace or adjust the focusing screen?

10-01-2012, 09:15 AM	#1
simbon4o Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 258	Anybody with mirror problems with K30? Focus problems. My problem is that today I have tried my new K30 with Samyang 85 shooting landscapes and it appears that my mirror is not on the right place and I see in the viewfinder the focus on infinity, the confirmation beeps right there but actually it was not there. So anybody else with the same problem?

10-01-2012, 10:00 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,165	So you're getting blurry shots? Could you post a few samples? Remember that with manual focus lenses, the AF confirmation is approximate, so your best bet to get sharp photos if you're going to rely on AF confirmation is to stop the lens down. 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, 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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10-01-2012, 10:03 AM	#3
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,632	Two things: 1) AF beep isn't AF confirmation. The hexagon is AF confirmation. Don't follow the beep, follow the hexagon. 2) What do you mean, your mirror is off? Like, off center?

10-01-2012, 10:10 AM	#4
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	If anything is off it might be your focusing screen that needs shimming, not the mirror. For landscapes and other shots where infinity focus is critical it is probably a good idea to rely on liveview and leverage the focus peaking of the K-30.

10-01-2012, 11:10 AM	#5
simbon4o Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 258 Original Poster	Well I have confirmation with beep and red light and the focus is so off the infinity that it gets like a big problem. The confirmation and what I see are ok, but after that the focus is not where it should be. I thought it could be from not perfectly screwed bayonet but it wasn't. With lifeview - no problem but I like to shoot trough the viewfinder especially with this one because it makes my ex K200 viewfinder look like pinhole . The problem is like this - in the viewfinder I see and the confirmation beeps and lights up when the focus ring of the samyang 85 is on around 20m, after I turn the ring to infinity I see the landscape not focused, the camera did not confirm focus, but the photo is perfectly focused. I make the tests on 1.4 so the problem is very easy to be seen. The problem was spotted earlier when I was not able to focus one bush on about 5-6m from me, I have tried 20 times maybe and every time it was not in focus, it was also against the sunset so the peeking was 100% unusable. PS If the problem was with focus screen I think that the confirmation and what I see will not match, that's why I think it is the mirror. Tomorrow I'm calling the service! I think that the mirror is not in it's proper place and that makes the viewfinder not accurate.

10-01-2012, 11:28 AM	#6
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,632	Again - the beep is not to be trusted. The red light also. The green hexagon is the only thing that says it is in focus or not (unless that is off as well). If the hexagon is off, then your AF system might be inaccurate, not the mirror. I don't think the mirror affects the AF readings (since the AF module is under the mirror). If someone can correct me, that'd be great.

10-01-2012, 11:41 AM	#7
FruitLooPs Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 440	Also since you've said you're taking shots of this bush at F1.4 are you sure that it isn't in focus and just such thin DOF that you're assuming you've missed? It really is very hard to focus accurately @ F1.4 via viewfinder. Unless you had the lens stopped down a bit at least, it would be much preferable to use liveview as said. Any chance of some test images, where its focusing vs where you have the impression of it being focused?

10-01-2012, 04:01 PM	#8
everydaylife Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 268	When I first started using manual lenses on my K5 I thought the beep and the centre focus point were confirmation of focus and was getting oof shots and then someone kindly pointed out on this forum that focus confirmation is indicated by the green hexagon. Now I turn off the red centre focus point because I find it too distracting. Not sure if you can do this in the k30 though.

10-01-2012, 10:31 PM	#9
simbon4o Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 258 Original Poster	For everyone- the green hexagon was confirming with the red light and beeping, I know when my camera focuses. Originally posted by FruitLooPs Also since you've said you're taking shots of this bush at F1.4 are you sure that it isn't in focus and just such thin DOF that you're assuming you've missed? It really is very hard to focus accurately @ F1.4 via viewfinder. Unless you had the lens stopped down a bit at least, it would be much preferable to use liveview as said. Any chance of some test images, where its focusing vs where you have the impression of it being focused? Well I'm pretty sure when something is in focus and when not, it is so visible when I zoom the image 8x on the display. Plus I have 80% success to the moment with my ex K200 and that lens on 1.4, so I'm sure the problem is not in me or the AF confirmation. Again the same situation - the bush, When I saw that I can't relay on the viewfinder or the lifeview with peeking for that situation I have tried the gunner way - move the focus a little shoot, move again shoot... after doing that on the 4-th try it hitted the bush but in the viewfinder the focus was visible around meter or two after the bush so I'm pretty sure the problem is with the mirror. The same thing happens when the mirror is not positioned right on the film cameras but they are old - it is possible, my K30 is around 160-200 frames from new. PS When I wrote about my problem in our local pentax forum there was other guys with the same problem. Anyway I'm calling the service today and let's hope that the mirror is adjustable.

10-02-2012, 12:46 AM	#10
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Use centre-spot AF and test against something static, flat and contrasty, not a bush. A bush is a 3D object and also contrast edges are variable, so it's a poor AF target. Plus as DOF at 6m with an 85@1.4 is about 20cm, shooting a bush means you could have lots of it perfectly in focus but it would be hard to say whether the AF got what was your target in focus.

10-02-2012, 11:40 AM	#11
lister6520 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 733	Originally posted by simbon4o For everyone- the green hexagon was confirming with the red light and beeping, ...... ... When I saw that I can't relay on the viewfinder or the lifeview with peeking for that situation I have tried the gunner way ..... Note that when using live view the mirror is irrelevant as it is completely removed from the light path. What you see in the live view is what will be recorded when you shoot the photo. If the focus peeking is not accurate enough I suggest you magnify the live view image instead, you can then check the focus almost as accurately as you can see when magnifying the image on the computer screen. (Press the OK button in live view and rotate the rear e-dial to increase magnification) If you still get out of focus shots that way with live view then there must be something very odd going on, perhaps something wrong with the image stabilisation mechanism, but for sure it would have absolutely nothing to do with the mirror. One important question - do you get the same problem even with other lenses or just with that particular lens? Could you post some sample photos maybe they will give some clue as to what is happening ?

10-02-2012, 09:47 PM	#12
simbon4o Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 258 Original Poster	The problem is the same with all lenses, longer lenses makes it more visible. Anyway, today the lens will arrive in the local service and they told me that the body have problem with the focus screen. If the screen is not moveable and they can't fix it, they will replace the hole kit(with 18-55WR) with another one.

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10-02-2012, 11:01 PM	#13
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by simbon4o they told me that the body have problem with the focus screen See my post #4 (I'm right at least once a year )

10-03-2012, 10:34 AM	#14
simbon4o Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 258 Original Poster	Originally posted by crewl1 See my post #4 (I'm right at least once a year ) Yeap! 100% right! I hope that the local service will succeed to adjust it for good soon. Or at least change the camera with another one... It is awful to leave me cameraless in the start of the autumn here!

08-28-2013, 10:39 PM	#15
ofer4 Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	simbon4o... I realize that this thread is a bit dated, but did your K-30 get fixed to your satisfaction? Did they replace or adjust the focusing screen?