Viewing the focus points used by the camera

emsee · 09-03-2014, 07:40 PM

Hi,

I am trying to find out whether it is possible to view the focus points used by the camera in the JPG or RAW (PEF) images? I have used Canon DSLRs in the past and the software that came with the camera (DPP) shows the focal points used by the camera.

-Emsee

MarkJerling · 09-03-2014, 08:05 PM

I believe that some information is stored in the EXIF data, certainly in so far as my K-5 is concerned.
See for instance:
AFPointMode Auto
AFPointSelected Auto
AFPointSelected2 Auto
AFPointsInFocus Top

fgaudet · 09-03-2014, 08:08 PM

What software are you using to view your pictures?

I know that in Aperture, the K3 focus points are not registering (neither do the K7's and Q's) but it does work fine with the K5 and Kr photos.

rawr · 09-04-2014, 01:36 AM

PhotoMe used to visually show the focus point used in an image, as a graphical overlay on the image preview. That worked up until the K-5, if memory serves. But PhotoMe is now out of date, unfortunately.

It would be nice if PDCU 5 or Lightroom had this feature.

Someone with coding skills could probably do something similar without much trouble, I suspect. The data is all there in the EXIF.

emsee · 09-04-2014, 09:39 AM

Originally posted by fgaudet

What software are you using to view your pictures?

I know that in Aperture, the K3 focus points are not registering (neither do the K7's and Q's) but it does work fine with the K5 and Kr photos.

Currently I use Lightroom 5.6 for processing. During my Canon days, I used DPP which shows the focus points.

stevebrot · 09-04-2014, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by emsee

I am trying to find out whether it is possible to view the focus points used by the camera in the JPG or RAW (PEF) images?

Originally posted by emsee

Currently I use Lightroom 5.6 for processing. During my Canon days, I used DPP which shows the focus points.

The data are in the exif, but are not displayed by Lightroom. You can display the values using ExifTool or ExifToolGUI. As rawr noted, it may possible to write a Lightroom plug-in using the ExifTool api, that would show it graphically. You might also be interested in the ExifMeta plug-in for Lightroom that allows library filtering and smart collections based on exif values.

robcole.com - ExifMetaLrPlugin

Steve

Samoht · 04-18-2015, 03:37 AM - **1 Like**

Old thread but i stumbled upon a focus points plugin for Lightroom. Of course neither K-5 nor K-3 are supported by this plugin but I sent feedback and requested these to be added.
Perhaps if more people requests Pentax cameras to be added it'll happen.

Show Focus Points Plugin for Lightroom

Stumpy · 04-18-2015, 05:42 AM

Originally posted by Samoht

plugin for Lightroom. Of course neither K-5 nor K-3 are supported
Perhaps if more people requests Pentax cameras to be added it'll happen.

This does look like a very useful plugin. I have also sent a feedback to request future Pentax support.

Stumpy · 04-18-2015, 06:10 AM - **1 Like**

Not a "must know".

For some of us it might be useful to aid troubleshooting and when analyzing photos, to learn about the camera and possibly improve technique and settings.

As with all things, if you wouldn't/don't find it useful then don't use/download it.

There are lots of settings and adjustments in editing software and the camera that I see no use for and don't use but I am sure many people find them useful.

rawr · 04-19-2015, 10:14 AM

Viewing the active focus points is not a 'must know', but may be useful in a variety of ways. For example, in checking which AF-C option is working best, or diagnosing why some images may have missed focus. Generally answering the question: what did the camera focus on?

It's nice to see the focus points displayed in two places: on the computer, and on the rear LCD of the camera during image playback (as some Nikon cameras allow).

Viewing the active AF points while chimping is a particularly useful way to check that your AF is working as you want it to, so that you can immediately make any corrections you need to your settings or technique.

Wired · 04-19-2015, 07:05 PM

sometime it helps to trouble shoot if you actually did miss placing the target correctly as well.

09-03-2014, 07:40 PM	#1
emsee Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 88	Viewing the focus points used by the camera Hi, I am trying to find out whether it is possible to view the focus points used by the camera in the JPG or RAW (PEF) images? I have used Canon DSLRs in the past and the software that came with the camera (DPP) shows the focal points used by the camera. -Emsee

04-18-2015, 06:10 AM - 1 Like	#9
Stumpy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Devon UK Posts: 105	Not a "must know". For some of us it might be useful to aid troubleshooting and when analyzing photos, to learn about the camera and possibly improve technique and settings. As with all things, if you wouldn't/don't find it useful then don't use/download it. There are lots of settings and adjustments in editing software and the camera that I see no use for and don't use but I am sure many people find them useful. Last edited by Stumpy; 04-18-2015 at 06:15 AM.

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09-03-2014, 08:05 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	I believe that some information is stored in the EXIF data, certainly in so far as my K-5 is concerned. See for instance: AFPointMode Auto AFPointSelected Auto AFPointSelected2 Auto AFPointsInFocus Top

09-03-2014, 08:08 PM	#3
fgaudet Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 726	What software are you using to view your pictures? I know that in Aperture, the K3 focus points are not registering (neither do the K7's and Q's) but it does work fine with the K5 and Kr photos.

09-04-2014, 01:36 AM	#4
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	PhotoMe used to visually show the focus point used in an image, as a graphical overlay on the image preview. That worked up until the K-5, if memory serves. But PhotoMe is now out of date, unfortunately. It would be nice if PDCU 5 or Lightroom had this feature. Someone with coding skills could probably do something similar without much trouble, I suspect. The data is all there in the EXIF.

09-04-2014, 09:39 AM	#5
emsee Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 88 Original Poster	Originally posted by fgaudet What software are you using to view your pictures? I know that in Aperture, the K3 focus points are not registering (neither do the K7's and Q's) but it does work fine with the K5 and Kr photos. Currently I use Lightroom 5.6 for processing. During my Canon days, I used DPP which shows the focus points.

09-04-2014, 03:36 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by emsee I am trying to find out whether it is possible to view the focus points used by the camera in the JPG or RAW (PEF) images? Originally posted by emsee Currently I use Lightroom 5.6 for processing. During my Canon days, I used DPP which shows the focus points. The data are in the exif, but are not displayed by Lightroom. You can display the values using ExifTool or ExifToolGUI. As rawr noted, it may possible to write a Lightroom plug-in using the ExifTool api, that would show it graphically. You might also be interested in the ExifMeta plug-in for Lightroom that allows library filtering and smart collections based on exif values. robcole.com - ExifMetaLrPlugin Steve

04-18-2015, 03:37 AM - 1 Like	#7
Samoht Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Härjedalen, Sweden Posts: 72	Old thread but i stumbled upon a focus points plugin for Lightroom. Of course neither K-5 nor K-3 are supported by this plugin but I sent feedback and requested these to be added. Perhaps if more people requests Pentax cameras to be added it'll happen. Show Focus Points Plugin for Lightroom

04-18-2015, 05:42 AM	#8
Stumpy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Devon UK Posts: 105	Originally posted by Samoht plugin for Lightroom. Of course neither K-5 nor K-3 are supported Perhaps if more people requests Pentax cameras to be added it'll happen. This does look like a very useful plugin. I have also sent a feedback to request future Pentax support.

04-19-2015, 10:14 AM	#10
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Viewing the active focus points is not a 'must know', but may be useful in a variety of ways. For example, in checking which AF-C option is working best, or diagnosing why some images may have missed focus. Generally answering the question: what did the camera focus on? It's nice to see the focus points displayed in two places: on the computer, and on the rear LCD of the camera during image playback (as some Nikon cameras allow). Viewing the active AF points while chimping is a particularly useful way to check that your AF is working as you want it to, so that you can immediately make any corrections you need to your settings or technique.

04-19-2015, 07:05 PM	#11
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519	sometime it helps to trouble shoot if you actually did miss placing the target correctly as well.