Originally posted by LamyTax Many engineers changed from Ricoh to Pentax. And it's not like Ricoh has no know-how with AF.
Depending on what they have on the hardware side, a lot of improvements could be achieved just by software.
I agree that they're certainly not up to what Ricoh has in mind, which is also why I doubt they'll release FF this year.
Humans are not machine parts. I think the Ricoh designer expertise with electronics will be useful in combination with the Pentax designers - but it takes time for new teams to become efficient at the task. I agree with you - probably many of us are being too impatient with Pentax - i include myself by the way.
Originally posted by aurele the 7d AF is fast, however it don't have such a high keeper rate. I used it twice and i must say i was impressed by speed (maybe the 70-200 USM II was for something i it), but not by it's precision.
I think, that Pentax AF isn't that bad, but the lens are not fast enought to push it to the limits. The 70-200 USM II seemed to go from one focus end to the other in half a sec. The DA*55 takes almost a sec to do this !
If PENTAX-RICOH could improve DC motor and put it in all lens, then Pentax can start competing.
I agree that Pentax AF isn't that bad. A few days ago, i took 800 plus pics of an outdoor play over a 2 hour period. I then sorted through them and only noticed 1 that was OOF, although there were probably a few more- i looked at them pretty fast in finding the good ones. With reasonable light, Pentax nails it pretty consistently.
My favorite Pentax lens is the 50-135, but the Pentax 17-70 is faster in focusing. Folks criticize the 17-70 because it's short throw is not advantageous to manual focusing - but it works wonders for AF speed. So you make a good point in that its the lens/camera body combination that affects speed.
Originally posted by builttospill I haven't had the opportunity to use the K-30 yet, but don't get me wrong, I'd love to see AF improvements, but most everyone talks about speed being the problem. If I had a choice between improvements to speed or accuracy the choice is easy.
Pentax is far from the 5DIII focusing ability, and I have no expectations for them to match it on their next model. Canon is far from Pentax WR capability, and I don't expect them to match it anytime soon. There are benefits to different brands. If Pentax could release a FF model to be compared to the 5DII I'd be a very happy customer. The 5DII has been a benchmark for Canon and has done very well for years. I only wish Pentax could release something that lasts that long in this day and age with similar sales and popularity trends. And don't forget Canon doesn't have the FA Limiteds!
I tried the Nex 5n out in the store. 2 cool features regarding AF. You designate your focus point on the screen with your finger, and once designated, you can move the camera around to change framing slightly and the focus point shifts to follow the subject. The point is: there are many software aids to focusing that the electronics engineers are finding. Pentax needs a team that can work in that kind of programming environment.