How good is the K-3's AF-C tracking AF?

Jeff Charles · 12-08-2013, 09:48 PM

This site did an informal test. Has anyone done more formal testing? What has been your experience in the field?

Bob from Aus · 12-08-2013, 11:18 PM

I still can't work out what all the jargon means between normal focusing and live view.
On U1 I have programed AF.C and SEL for the centre spot. I think I am getting a three times better hit rate for flying birds than with the K5. The good part is I can program the auto focus settings I want for flying birds. With the older cameras I was turning switches all over the place working between still subjects and moving ones. Still not sure if I have the best settings for flying birds.

GaryH · 12-09-2013, 05:57 AM

My K3 stomps my K5IIs at tracking BIF and dogs running. Very happy with that performance area of the K3.

Jeff Charles · 12-09-2013, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by Bob from Aus

I still can't work out what all the jargon means between normal focusing and live view.
On U1 I have programed AF.C and SEL for the centre spot. I think I am getting a three times better hit rate for flying birds than with the K5. The good part is I can program the auto focus settings I want for flying birds. With the older cameras I was turning switches all over the place working between still subjects and moving ones. Still not sure if I have the best settings for flying birds.

Sounds good. Can the AF settings be saved in a User Mode?

I'd guess that there will be a learning curve figuring out how to use the new tracking options for different situations.

Jeff Charles · 12-09-2013, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by GaryH

My K3 stomps my K5IIs at tracking BIF and dogs running. Very happy with that performance area of the K3.

That is encouraging. One of my usual subjects is street puppies that my wife rescues and find homes for.

Which lenses are you using for BIF and dogs?

Bob from Aus · 12-09-2013, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by Jeff Charles

Sounds good. Can the AF settings be saved in a User Mode?

Hi Jeff - The AF settings can be saved in the user modes. I suspect MF isn't saved and the switch may need to be on AF, but I haven't tried. You can use which every AF combination you want plus the other settings.

GaryH · 12-09-2013, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by Jeff Charles

That is encouraging. One of my usual subjects is street puppies that my wife rescues and find homes for.

Which lenses are you using for BIF and dogs?

I bought the 55-300mm WR at the same time as the K3 and it really does well at BIF shots. In fact that is the lens that I tested on both cameras to come to that conclusion. Headed back to Dallas hopefully tomorrow and am bringing a couple of different lenses that I can test. Pretty nasty here right now in downtown Philly......

12-08-2013, 09:48 PM	#1
Jeff Charles Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico; Shohola PA, USA Posts: 219	How good is the K-3's AF-C tracking AF? This site did an informal test. Has anyone done more formal testing? What has been your experience in the field?

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12-08-2013, 11:18 PM	#2
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	I still can't work out what all the jargon means between normal focusing and live view. On U1 I have programed AF.C and SEL for the centre spot. I think I am getting a three times better hit rate for flying birds than with the K5. The good part is I can program the auto focus settings I want for flying birds. With the older cameras I was turning switches all over the place working between still subjects and moving ones. Still not sure if I have the best settings for flying birds.

12-09-2013, 05:57 AM	#3
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	My K3 stomps my K5IIs at tracking BIF and dogs running. Very happy with that performance area of the K3.

12-09-2013, 09:13 AM	#4
Jeff Charles Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico; Shohola PA, USA Posts: 219 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bob from Aus I still can't work out what all the jargon means between normal focusing and live view. On U1 I have programed AF.C and SEL for the centre spot. I think I am getting a three times better hit rate for flying birds than with the K5. The good part is I can program the auto focus settings I want for flying birds. With the older cameras I was turning switches all over the place working between still subjects and moving ones. Still not sure if I have the best settings for flying birds. Sounds good. Can the AF settings be saved in a User Mode? I'd guess that there will be a learning curve figuring out how to use the new tracking options for different situations.

12-09-2013, 09:16 AM	#5
Jeff Charles Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico; Shohola PA, USA Posts: 219 Original Poster	Originally posted by GaryH My K3 stomps my K5IIs at tracking BIF and dogs running. Very happy with that performance area of the K3. That is encouraging. One of my usual subjects is street puppies that my wife rescues and find homes for. Which lenses are you using for BIF and dogs?

12-09-2013, 03:09 PM	#6
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	Originally posted by Jeff Charles Sounds good. Can the AF settings be saved in a User Mode? Hi Jeff - The AF settings can be saved in the user modes. I suspect MF isn't saved and the switch may need to be on AF, but I haven't tried. You can use which every AF combination you want plus the other settings.

12-09-2013, 03:41 PM	#7
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	Originally posted by Jeff Charles That is encouraging. One of my usual subjects is street puppies that my wife rescues and find homes for. Which lenses are you using for BIF and dogs? I bought the 55-300mm WR at the same time as the K3 and it really does well at BIF shots. In fact that is the lens that I tested on both cameras to come to that conclusion. Headed back to Dallas hopefully tomorrow and am bringing a couple of different lenses that I can test. Pretty nasty here right now in downtown Philly......

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