How do you change the number of focus points?

**mroeder75** · 03-08-2023, 10:05 PM

I have a Pentax K-3. A few years ago I managed to change the # of focus points to a single center focus point. With spring coming, I plan to try my hand at photographing birds in flight. I cannot recall, and cannot understand from the manual, how to change focus points.

Can anyone help me?

Wheatfield · 03-08-2023, 11:04 PM - **1 Like**

Turn the rear command wheel while pressing the AF Mode button.

See page 44 of the users manual for full instructions.

www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-3.pdf

**UncleVanya** · 03-09-2023, 07:00 AM

This always confuses me and each time I rediscover the method I feel stupid for forgetting. In my defense I use multiple cameras with different controls and my KP is my main Pentax - I am used to using a different method (extra control wheel) on that camera.

**mikesbike** · 03-09-2023, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

my KP is my main Pentax - I am used to using a different method (extra control wheel) on that camera.

Ha, ha! Easy to become spoiled by such efficiency and convenience!

**mroeder75** · 03-09-2023, 10:49 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Turn the rear command wheel while pressing the AF Mode button.

See page 44 of the users manual for full instructions.

www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-3.pdf

Thank you. Now I am there, but the manual speaks to 27 autofocus points and 9 autofocus points. I seem to recall when the camera was delivered I would see lots of red dots when I focused, and I didn't care for that I wanted a central focus dot. Now, when I turn the command wheel I see the various squares pop up on the back screen, but when I look through the viewfinder I still see the central focus dot.

Am I doing something wrong?

Wheatfield · 03-10-2023, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by mroeder75

Thank you. Now I am there, but the manual speaks to 27 autofocus points and 9 autofocus points. I seem to recall when the camera was delivered I would see lots of red dots when I focused, and I didn't care for that I wanted a central focus dot. Now, when I turn the command wheel I see the various squares pop up on the back screen, but when I look through the viewfinder I still see the central focus dot.

Am I doing something wrong?

Check page 14 of the owners manual. The memo section on the right side of the page talks about turning the viewfinder overlay on or off in the C2 menu. I'm not even working from memory here. I haven't used a K3 for 7 years, so I'm grasping at straws a bit. Hopefully someone with more of a clue than I have will step in.

03-08-2023, 10:05 PM	#1
mroeder75 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,601	How do you change the number of focus points? I have a Pentax K-3. A few years ago I managed to change the # of focus points to a single center focus point. With spring coming, I plan to try my hand at photographing birds in flight. I cannot recall, and cannot understand from the manual, how to change focus points. Can anyone help me?

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03-08-2023, 11:04 PM - 1 Like	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Turn the rear command wheel while pressing the AF Mode button. See page 44 of the users manual for full instructions. www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-3.pdf

03-09-2023, 07:00 AM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	This always confuses me and each time I rediscover the method I feel stupid for forgetting. In my defense I use multiple cameras with different controls and my KP is my main Pentax - I am used to using a different method (extra control wheel) on that camera.

03-09-2023, 01:32 PM	#4
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,562	Originally posted by UncleVanya my KP is my main Pentax - I am used to using a different method (extra control wheel) on that camera. Ha, ha! Easy to become spoiled by such efficiency and convenience!

03-09-2023, 10:49 PM	#5
mroeder75 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,601 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield Turn the rear command wheel while pressing the AF Mode button. See page 44 of the users manual for full instructions. www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-3.pdf Thank you. Now I am there, but the manual speaks to 27 autofocus points and 9 autofocus points. I seem to recall when the camera was delivered I would see lots of red dots when I focused, and I didn't care for that I wanted a central focus dot. Now, when I turn the command wheel I see the various squares pop up on the back screen, but when I look through the viewfinder I still see the central focus dot. Am I doing something wrong?

03-10-2023, 05:56 AM	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by mroeder75 Thank you. Now I am there, but the manual speaks to 27 autofocus points and 9 autofocus points. I seem to recall when the camera was delivered I would see lots of red dots when I focused, and I didn't care for that I wanted a central focus dot. Now, when I turn the command wheel I see the various squares pop up on the back screen, but when I look through the viewfinder I still see the central focus dot. Am I doing something wrong? Check page 14 of the owners manual. The memo section on the right side of the page talks about turning the viewfinder overlay on or off in the C2 menu. I'm not even working from memory here. I haven't used a K3 for 7 years, so I'm grasping at straws a bit. Hopefully someone with more of a clue than I have will step in.