Is K5 really only 11 AF points ?

kinkindoll · 09-16-2010, 05:42 AM

I feel disappointed that K5 false rumour on the AF points, it will be much appreciate if Pentax can further improve their AF system. Can anyone confirm me on this ? I hope the official spec can be released soon.

0144 · 09-16-2010, 05:49 AM

i need 5. 1 in center and 4 covering 2/3 rule.
9 points is sometimes usefull, but i never use 11.

if they can improve AF without adding extra points - it's great, less clicks to choose the one i want.

DronDrive · 09-16-2010, 05:52 AM

If it's thruth so many people go away from pentax. I'm so tired from this "slow" trend

Adam · 09-16-2010, 05:56 AM

The official specs will be announced on monday. The K-5 features a highly improved AF system (especially in low-light and continuous focus situations), but yes, it'll only have 11 focusing points.

**ManuH** · 09-16-2010, 06:01 AM

Originally posted by kinkindoll

I feel disappointed that K5 false rumour on the AF points, it will be much appreciate if Pentax can further improve their AF system. Can anyone confirm me on this ? I hope the official spec can be released soon.

Yes but OTOH the Nikon D7000 is only having 9 cross points, same as any Pentax DSLR. Granted the Nikon has more options with 39 but the Canon 7D does well with just 19. Not to say that more AF points are not useful but they maybe a bit overrated. What counts is actual performance. Let's give a chance at least to the new SAFOX IX.

RBellavance · 09-16-2010, 06:03 AM

Well, zackspeed has this to say this past monday: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/114099-k-5-rumors-fals...ml#post1179251

He usually seems well-informed, so maybe we have a surprise coming. But then again, I don't think a new AF system would be called SAFOX IX+, because that is the name of th 645D's system, and it has 11 points... We'll know for sure in 4 days anyway.

FWIW, I have no need for more points than the 11 in the K-7. In fact, I almost never use the 2 outer ones, so 9 would probably be alright as well, as long as the "corner" ones fall at or near the "rule of thirds" line intersections. But I can understand how more points with improved tracking could be useful for sports and wildlife shooters.

gazonk · 09-16-2010, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by ManuH

Yes but OTOH the Nikon D7000 is only having 9 cross points, same as any Pentax DSLR. Granted the Nikon has more options with 39 but the Canon 7D does well with just 19. Not to say that more AF points are not useful but they maybe a bit overrated. What counts is actual performance. Let's give a chance at least to the new SAFOX IX.

+1

And btw the 5d MkII has only 9 user-selectable points, all in the middle of the screen.

starbase218 · 09-16-2010, 06:07 AM

I felt a bit disappointed as well, but I think ManuH is right. Let's assess the performance first before judging the number of focal points. Personally, I think AF.C probably won't be as advanced as Nikon's, but then not many AF systems are.

rustynail925 · 09-16-2010, 06:14 AM

As long as the AF locks when you half press the shutter and it doesnt focus hunt in low light then that would be great improvement

0144 · 09-16-2010, 06:14 AM

Originally posted by gazonk

And btw the 5d MkII has only 9 user-selectable points, all in the middle of the screen.

and only center one really works, others are either horizontal or vertical, so if we count only reliable points 5Dmk2 has just 1

gazonk · 09-16-2010, 06:32 AM

Originally posted by 0144

and only center one really works, others are either horizontal or vertical, so if we count only reliable points 5Dmk2 has just 1

Ah, I didn't know that. Doesn't really matter though, since all of them are in the centre

DronDrive · 09-16-2010, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by Adam

The official specs will be announced on monday. The K-5 features a highly improved AF system (especially in low-light and continuous focus situations), but yes, it'll only have 11 focusing points.

ouuu.....bad news for me

Rupert · 09-16-2010, 06:43 AM

I admit that I am just a lowly amateur, have little long term experience, and no desire to become famous and be a Pro........but I sure as heck can't understand why 11 focus points is not 10 more than I need 98% of the time?
Maybe someone out there can explain this to me? I have a few decent shots I have captured over the last five years, and can't honestly say that a bunch of focus points was any use to me at all in capturing them?

Here I just used one...@ 1/20 500mm....did I really need 10 more? Now if you were talking lack of SR, like in the Nikon, that would be some serious reason not to buy it. Actually, not to even consider a second look at it for me.

gazonk · 09-16-2010, 06:51 AM

Originally posted by Rupert

but I sure as heck can't understand why 11 focus points is not 10 more than I need 98% of the time?

Rupert, YMMV of course, but I prefer to use SEL mode on my K10D all the time, and I very frequently select one of the corner AF points because that's where my main subject is if it's a "rule of thirds" composition.

**ManuH** · 09-16-2010, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by Rupert

Here I just used one...@ 1/20 500mm....did I really need 10 more?

For a stationary subject there is actually no reason to use anything but 1. The multipoints are mostly used for tracking purposes.

09-16-2010, 05:42 AM	#1
kinkindoll Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 173	Is K5 really only 11 AF points ? I feel disappointed that K5 false rumour on the AF points, it will be much appreciate if Pentax can further improve their AF system. Can anyone confirm me on this ? I hope the official spec can be released soon.

09-16-2010, 05:52 AM	#3
DronDrive New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Novorossysk Posts: 14	If it's thruth so many people go away from pentax. I'm so tired from this "slow" trend Last edited by DronDrive; 09-16-2010 at 06:09 AM.

09-16-2010, 06:03 AM	#6
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Well, zackspeed has this to say this past monday: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/114099-k-5-rumors-fals...ml#post1179251 He usually seems well-informed, so maybe we have a surprise coming. But then again, I don't think a new AF system would be called SAFOX IX+, because that is the name of th 645D's system, and it has 11 points... We'll know for sure in 4 days anyway. FWIW, I have no need for more points than the 11 in the K-7. In fact, I almost never use the 2 outer ones, so 9 would probably be alright as well, as long as the "corner" ones fall at or near the "rule of thirds" line intersections. But I can understand how more points with improved tracking could be useful for sports and wildlife shooters. Last edited by RBellavance; 09-16-2010 at 06:20 AM.

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09-16-2010, 05:49 AM	#2
0144 Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lithuania Posts: 38	i need 5. 1 in center and 4 covering 2/3 rule. 9 points is sometimes usefull, but i never use 11. if they can improve AF without adding extra points - it's great, less clicks to choose the one i want.

09-16-2010, 05:56 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	The official specs will be announced on monday. The K-5 features a highly improved AF system (especially in low-light and continuous focus situations), but yes, it'll only have 11 focusing points.

09-16-2010, 06:01 AM	#5
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Originally posted by kinkindoll I feel disappointed that K5 false rumour on the AF points, it will be much appreciate if Pentax can further improve their AF system. Can anyone confirm me on this ? I hope the official spec can be released soon. Yes but OTOH the Nikon D7000 is only having 9 cross points, same as any Pentax DSLR. Granted the Nikon has more options with 39 but the Canon 7D does well with just 19. Not to say that more AF points are not useful but they maybe a bit overrated. What counts is actual performance. Let's give a chance at least to the new SAFOX IX.

09-16-2010, 06:05 AM	#7
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by ManuH Yes but OTOH the Nikon D7000 is only having 9 cross points, same as any Pentax DSLR. Granted the Nikon has more options with 39 but the Canon 7D does well with just 19. Not to say that more AF points are not useful but they maybe a bit overrated. What counts is actual performance. Let's give a chance at least to the new SAFOX IX. +1 And btw the 5d MkII has only 9 user-selectable points, all in the middle of the screen.

09-16-2010, 06:07 AM	#8
starbase218 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy, Universe Posts: 1,119	I felt a bit disappointed as well, but I think ManuH is right. Let's assess the performance first before judging the number of focal points. Personally, I think AF.C probably won't be as advanced as Nikon's, but then not many AF systems are.

09-16-2010, 06:14 AM	#9
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	As long as the AF locks when you half press the shutter and it doesnt focus hunt in low light then that would be great improvement

09-16-2010, 06:14 AM	#10
0144 Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lithuania Posts: 38	Originally posted by gazonk And btw the 5d MkII has only 9 user-selectable points, all in the middle of the screen. and only center one really works, others are either horizontal or vertical, so if we count only reliable points 5Dmk2 has just 1

09-16-2010, 06:32 AM	#11
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by 0144 and only center one really works, others are either horizontal or vertical, so if we count only reliable points 5Dmk2 has just 1 Ah, I didn't know that. Doesn't really matter though, since all of them are in the centre

09-16-2010, 06:36 AM	#12
DronDrive New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Novorossysk Posts: 14	Originally posted by Adam The official specs will be announced on monday. The K-5 features a highly improved AF system (especially in low-light and continuous focus situations), but yes, it'll only have 11 focusing points. ouuu.....bad news for me

09-16-2010, 06:43 AM	#13
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	I admit that I am just a lowly amateur, have little long term experience, and no desire to become famous and be a Pro........but I sure as heck can't understand why 11 focus points is not 10 more than I need 98% of the time? Maybe someone out there can explain this to me? I have a few decent shots I have captured over the last five years, and can't honestly say that a bunch of focus points was any use to me at all in capturing them? Here I just used one...@ 1/20 500mm....did I really need 10 more? Now if you were talking lack of SR, like in the Nikon, that would be some serious reason not to buy it. Actually, not to even consider a second look at it for me.

09-16-2010, 06:51 AM	#14
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by Rupert but I sure as heck can't understand why 11 focus points is not 10 more than I need 98% of the time? Rupert, YMMV of course, but I prefer to use SEL mode on my K10D all the time, and I very frequently select one of the corner AF points because that's where my main subject is if it's a "rule of thirds" composition.

09-16-2010, 06:55 AM	#15
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Originally posted by Rupert Here I just used one...@ 1/20 500mm....did I really need 10 more? For a stationary subject there is actually no reason to use anything but 1. The multipoints are mostly used for tracking purposes.