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causey · 07-08-2013, 07:51 PM

I got the Hunt's K-30 kit with the 18-55 WR for $500. Unfortunately, the camera front focuses pretty severely. Initially I thought the kit lens was defective, because images were unusually soft even at f8. After a few more tests I realized the apparent softness was out-of-focus blur. More tests with other lenses fully confirmed this conclusion. The max. allowed correction of -10 visibly improves the image, but it is not enough. The required global adjustment should be somewhere between -12 to -14.
Now, it appears global adjustment and individual lens adjustment are cumulative, so in principle I could make the required adjustments for (most of) my AF lenses. The most annoying aspect is that I get misleading focus confirmation when using my manual lenses...

The kit is OOS at Hunt's, so a replacement is impossible at this point. I could return it for a refund (they have a 15% restocking fee) or send it to CRIS. I'm inclined to choose the latter option, but I've heard stories of equipment coming back from CRIS with issues unresolved... Has anyone had the same kind of problem and sent his/her camera to CRIS? Did they manage to fix the camera? If so, how fast were they to fix it?

Thank you!

Last edited by causey; 07-08-2013 at 08:30 PM.

Adam · 07-08-2013, 07:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by causey

I got the Hunt's K-30 kit with the 18-55 WR for $500. Unfortunately, the camera front focuses pretty severely. Initially I thought the kit lens was defective, because images were unusually soft even at f8. After a few more tests I realized the apparent softness was out-of-focus blur. More tests with other lenses fully confirmed this conclusion. The max. allowed correction of -10 visibly improves the image, but it is not enough. The required global adjustment should be somewhere between -12 to -14.
Now, it appears global adjustment and individual lens adjustment are cumulative, so in principle I could make the required adjustments for my AF lenses. The annoying aspect is that I get misleading focus confirmation when using my manual lenses...

The kit is OOS at Hunt's, so a replacement is impossible at this point. I could return it for a refund (they have a 15% restocking fee) or send it to CRIS. I'm inclined to choose the latter option, but I've heard stories of equipment coming back from CRIS with issues unresolved... Has anyone had the same kind of problem and sent his/her camera to CRIS? Did they manage to fix the camera? If so, how fast were they to fix it?

Thank you!

AF adjustment is a fairly routine procedure. I would just send the camera in, as they should be able to fix it for you for good

causey · 07-08-2013, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by Adam

AF adjustment is a fairly routine procedure. I would just send the camera in, as they should be able to fix it for you for good

Thank you, Adam. That's encouraging enough

I'm shipping my K-30 to CRIS tomorrow morning.

SteveB · 07-09-2013, 10:21 AM

I haven't put it to the test myself, but I've heard that the global and individual AF adjustments aren't cumulative. You just get the last set value.

causey · 07-09-2013, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by SteveB

I haven't put it to the test myself, but I've heard that the global and individual AF adjustments aren't cumulative. You just get the last set value.

I'm not 100% certain, but my tests seemed to indicate they are cumulative.

ofer4 · 08-25-2013, 09:13 AM

causey... Any luck? Has CRIS returned the camera yet, and if so, is it fixed to your satisfaction?

causey · 08-25-2013, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by ofer4

causey... Any luck? Has CRIS returned the camera yet, and if so, is it fixed to your satisfaction?

Yes, I got it back in about two weeks: perfect AF!

ofer4 · 08-25-2013, 12:07 PM

Great to hear...thanks.

yuhau · 04-13-2014, 06:11 PM

I seem to have the same very severe front focus problem with the k30 and my Tokina 28-70 atx pro .. Ok with the other da lens
The problem seems to be the focus confirmation off via the view finder .. The Life view seems to be very accurate

.. So should I send both lens and camera back to the customer service of Pentax ? Will they do any adjustment given it's not a lens made by Pentax ?
Any comment .?
Thanks
Yuhau

buessi · 04-25-2014, 08:13 PM

I had a similar problem of soft focus with the 18-50 kit lens. After many checks, sequential photo settings at different adjustment values, test targets, and the like, I determined that my kit lens (and my older legacy lenses, except for my Tamron 100-300mm) required a setting of -5 to be satisfactorily focused. The Tamron does fine at no adjustment.
Understanding that kit zoom lenses are not a paragon of focus acuity, I must wonder if it's the camera that is not properly calibrated. That is, because my Pentax 50mm prime also does best at a -5 setting. Would you suggest that Pentax service should be involved in properly calibrating this new camera, or should I just suck it up and leave the (to me, high) calibration setting?

**felixkh** · 04-27-2014, 11:01 PM

You might want to send it in to have a check. Best be on the safe side.

07-08-2013, 07:51 PM	#1
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	K-30 with serious front focus: what would you do? I got the Hunt's K-30 kit with the 18-55 WR for $500. Unfortunately, the camera front focuses pretty severely. Initially I thought the kit lens was defective, because images were unusually soft even at f8. After a few more tests I realized the apparent softness was out-of-focus blur. More tests with other lenses fully confirmed this conclusion. The max. allowed correction of -10 visibly improves the image, but it is not enough. The required global adjustment should be somewhere between -12 to -14. Now, it appears global adjustment and individual lens adjustment are cumulative, so in principle I could make the required adjustments for (most of) my AF lenses. The most annoying aspect is that I get misleading focus confirmation when using my manual lenses... The kit is OOS at Hunt's, so a replacement is impossible at this point. I could return it for a refund (they have a 15% restocking fee) or send it to CRIS. I'm inclined to choose the latter option, but I've heard stories of equipment coming back from CRIS with issues unresolved... Has anyone had the same kind of problem and sent his/her camera to CRIS? Did they manage to fix the camera? If so, how fast were they to fix it? Thank you! Last edited by causey; 07-08-2013 at 08:30 PM.

07-08-2013, 07:55 PM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Originally posted by causey I got the Hunt's K-30 kit with the 18-55 WR for $500. Unfortunately, the camera front focuses pretty severely. Initially I thought the kit lens was defective, because images were unusually soft even at f8. After a few more tests I realized the apparent softness was out-of-focus blur. More tests with other lenses fully confirmed this conclusion. The max. allowed correction of -10 visibly improves the image, but it is not enough. The required global adjustment should be somewhere between -12 to -14. Now, it appears global adjustment and individual lens adjustment are cumulative, so in principle I could make the required adjustments for my AF lenses. The annoying aspect is that I get misleading focus confirmation when using my manual lenses... The kit is OOS at Hunt's, so a replacement is impossible at this point. I could return it for a refund (they have a 15% restocking fee) or send it to CRIS. I'm inclined to choose the latter option, but I've heard stories of equipment coming back from CRIS with issues unresolved... Has anyone had the same kind of problem and sent his/her camera to CRIS? Did they manage to fix the camera? If so, how fast were they to fix it? Thank you! AF adjustment is a fairly routine procedure. I would just send the camera in, as they should be able to fix it for you for good 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:

07-08-2013, 08:38 PM	#3
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam AF adjustment is a fairly routine procedure. I would just send the camera in, as they should be able to fix it for you for good Thank you, Adam. That's encouraging enough I'm shipping my K-30 to CRIS tomorrow morning. Last edited by causey; 07-08-2013 at 09:02 PM.

04-25-2014, 08:13 PM	#10
buessi New Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Seattle Posts: 15	Pentax K-50 kit lens AF calibration I had a similar problem of soft focus with the 18-50 kit lens. After many checks, sequential photo settings at different adjustment values, test targets, and the like, I determined that my kit lens (and my older legacy lenses, except for my Tamron 100-300mm) required a setting of -5 to be satisfactorily focused. The Tamron does fine at no adjustment. Understanding that kit zoom lenses are not a paragon of focus acuity, I must wonder if it's the camera that is not properly calibrated. That is, because my Pentax 50mm prime also does best at a -5 setting. Would you suggest that Pentax service should be involved in properly calibrating this new camera, or should I just suck it up and leave the (to me, high) calibration setting?

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07-09-2013, 10:21 AM	#4
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685	I haven't put it to the test myself, but I've heard that the global and individual AF adjustments aren't cumulative. You just get the last set value.

07-09-2013, 10:38 AM	#5
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757 Original Poster	Originally posted by SteveB I haven't put it to the test myself, but I've heard that the global and individual AF adjustments aren't cumulative. You just get the last set value. I'm not 100% certain, but my tests seemed to indicate they are cumulative.

08-25-2013, 09:13 AM	#6
ofer4 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	causey... Any luck? Has CRIS returned the camera yet, and if so, is it fixed to your satisfaction?

08-25-2013, 11:32 AM	#7
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757 Original Poster	Originally posted by ofer4 causey... Any luck? Has CRIS returned the camera yet, and if so, is it fixed to your satisfaction? Yes, I got it back in about two weeks: perfect AF!

08-25-2013, 12:07 PM	#8
ofer4 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	Great to hear...thanks.

04-13-2014, 06:11 PM	#9
yuhau New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 4	I seem to have the same very severe front focus problem with the k30 and my Tokina 28-70 atx pro .. Ok with the other da lens The problem seems to be the focus confirmation off via the view finder .. The Life view seems to be very accurate .. So should I send both lens and camera back to the customer service of Pentax ? Will they do any adjustment given it's not a lens made by Pentax ? Any comment .? Thanks Yuhau

04-27-2014, 11:01 PM	#11
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	You might want to send it in to have a check. Best be on the safe side.

K-30 with serious front focus: what would you do?

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