[deus ursus]

You are correct that it does'nt quite work, but I think the intention is that it should work ... somehow(from the manual):

When Expanded Area AF is set to 'On' in AF Settings [...], if your subject briefly moves out from the focus point that was selected when the focus mode was set to AF.C, the camera will continue to focus on your subject based on information from the focus points (back-up focus points) surrounding the selected focus point.

One problem with this feature is that the focus points are so far between that when the subject moves away from the chosen focus point, it never reaches any of the surrounding focus points, so they find something else to focus on. It might have worked better with 27 focus points, like on the K-3, but we'll never know.

[Kunzite]

You are correct that it does'nt quite work, but I think the intention is that it should work ... somehow(from the manual):

One problem with this feature is that the focus points are so far between that when the subject moves away from the chosen focus point, it never reaches any of the surrounding focus points, so they find something else to focus on. It might have worked better with 27 focus points, like on the K-3, but we'll never know.

It doesn't matter.
What matters is that there's a significant difference between the older SAFOX versions and the current ones (supported by more advanced metering systems). We have to be aware of this, rather than assuming no Pentax camera does better than a K-5IIs.

And we're expecting a new SAFOX version.

[WorksAsIntended]

It doesn't matter.
What matters is that there's a significant difference between the older SAFOX versions and the current ones (supported by more advanced metering systems). We have to be aware of this, rather than assuming no Pentax camera does better than a K-5IIs.

And we're expecting a new SAFOX version.

I do not think anybody assumed the k5 II being at the same level as kp or k1 II.

[Kunzite]

I do not think anybody assumed the k5 II being at the same level as kp or k1 II.

I do not think the now not so new AF improvements were publicized enough.
And yes, it was assumed that the "expanded area AF" works the same, except it doesn't as there's no scene analysis by shape color on the older cameras...

I shoot a Nikon D7200 on occasion. When using 3D tracking, just place the dot on the subject or whatever you're following & hold the back button to initiate tracking. It doesn't matter if you move or the subject moves, the dot will stay on the intended subject.

Isn't a good thing to know that Pentax attempts the same thing?

[deus ursus]

I do not think anybody assumed the k5 II being at the same level as kp or k1 II.

Exactly. My point was, the K-5II/IIs might do better with 27 focus points than just 11, but of course not as good as the K-3/K-3II, with their newer SAFOX engine. But for all we know, adding focus points to the K-5 wouldn't do any good. It might anyway go looking for things to focus on all over the frame except for were you want it to focus.

[Kobie]

From my K200D, then K-30 and now K-3 there have been steady improvements in Autofocus tracking, I'm sure it holds true as well from K-5/II/IIs, to K-3/II, to K-70, to KP, to K-1/II.
The K200D was just slow across the board. The K-30 was much snappier and I never had an issue using expanded AF in AF.C whether using Center/Spot focus or select. It always tracked without issue unless something got between the subject and the camera, however, it would re-acquire just fine. I can't count the number of times, I saw a bird in flight, grabbed the camera, powered it on, panned or pointed and fired with perfect focus.
The K-3 just has more AF points to use with tracking compared to the K-30 but they cover the same field of width. The K-3 just has narrower AF points plus AF hold to maintain the subject distance when panning with things that come between you and the subject. I haven't had any issues with using expanded AF on either the K-30 or K-3. It's proven to be very reliable in use. Between the K-30 and K-3, the K-3 seems quicker to track however, that could just be because there's more AF points to use so it appears to be faster. But at the end of the day, it works for me to get the images I want without issue.
Everyone has different techniques and maybe that's the fundamental difference.

[normhead]

then K-30

The K-30 was the first camera after Pentax announced it was going to improve it's auto-focus. It even has a new lens element in the AF system compared to older cameras.

[mlt]

Today is the 20th in Japan - 7 days before the original start date of the cancelled CP+ show. Will we start getting release info, leaks or hints?

[Kobayashi.K]

I think they are now busy figuring out an alternative way of presenting any news. I hope though that we get an official announcement with full specs and product photos.

[normhead]

I think they are now busy figuring out an alternative way of presenting any news. I hope though that we get an official announcement with full specs and product photos.

We've hit 100 pages if that means anything.

[Larrymc]

We've hit 100 pages if that means anything.

Do I need to just go on back to sleep???

[normhead]

sn't a good thing to know that Pentax attempts the same thing?

It worked perfectly on this K-3 shot with the DA*200.


It was very cool to see the different AF points flashing tracking the birds.

[Larrymc]

It worked perfectly on this K-3 shot with the DA*200.


It was very cool to see the different AF points flashing tracking the birds.

Yep when it works it's enjoyable to see them light up!! Captured with the PLM, I had to tell DXO a fib to be able to process this one using the DA 55-300 f/4-5.8 ED WR lens profile.

Kerplunk!..Bonaparte's Gulls watching a buddy hit the water and disappear by Larry Mc, on Flickr

[reh321]

Today is the 20th in Japan - 7 days before the original start date of the cancelled CP+ show. Will we start getting release info, leaks or hints?

The whole point of the first post in this thread is that Pentax doesn’t march to our drum - they will announce under their time, and there is no reason to believe that they’ll announce anything more before Summer.

[Larrymc]

The whole point of the first post in this thread is that Pentax doesn’t march to our drum - they will announce under their time, and there is no reason to believe that they’ll announce anything more before Summer.

?????? What?????? Where did that come from?