K-3 for sports?

rawr · 05-25-2015, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by JeremyP

I'm sending it in for a firmware updrade but I was wondering if you had any issues with this?

I've had no issues. I point the lens at something, it focusses, usually very quickly.

Of course, if something is within the minimum focus distance for the lens, it will hunt. Or if you have a subject with zero contrast, or anything else like pic related happening (courtesy of Nikon), it may hunt:

I'm not aware of any lens firmware update for that lens. But I'd be interested to hear whether Sigma say there is a firmware update available.

The biggest problem I had with that lens used to be lots of flare when shooting towards stadium lighting. That problem was solved by adding the lens hood adapter [HA 850-01] onto that lens.

JeremyP · 05-27-2015, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by rawr

I've had no issues. I point the lens at something, it focusses, usually very quickly.

Of course, if something is within the minimum focus distance for the lens, it will hunt. Or if you have a subject with zero contrast, or anything else like pic related happening (courtesy of Nikon), it may hunt:

I'm not aware of any lens firmware update for that lens. But I'd be interested to hear whether Sigma say there is a firmware update available.

The biggest problem I had with that lens used to be lots of flare when shooting towards stadium lighting. That problem was solved by adding the lens hood adapter [HA 850-01] onto that lens.

I was comparing the lens on my new K-3 against my K-5, with the same settings and in the same situation. I also compared the auto focus with my 18-135mm DC lens, again with same/similar settings, and there's definitely a problem with it hunting. Even in the store it did the same thing, and I tried the Pentax 18-270mm and it didn't have a problem with the lighting. I hope there's a firmware fix, otherwise I wasted money buying the K-3 as I use the 70-200mm 80-90% of the time. I'll update this thread when I hear anything.

UserAccessDenied · 06-02-2015, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by JeremyP

I was comparing the lens on my new K-3 against my K-5, with the same settings and in the same situation. I also compared the auto focus with my 18-135mm DC lens, again with same/similar settings, and there's definitely a problem with it hunting. Even in the store it did the same thing, and I tried the Pentax 18-270mm and it didn't have a problem with the lighting. I hope there's a firmware fix, otherwise I wasted money buying the K-3 as I use the 70-200mm 80-90% of the time. I'll update this thread when I hear anything.

If you find out you don't like your K-3, I'd be happy to discuss a trade or buying it from you!?

JeremyP · 06-03-2015, 02:53 PM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

If you find out you don't like your K-3, I'd be happy to discuss a trade or buying it from you!?

Hopefully it doesn't come to that, but if sending it in to Sigma doesn't fix the auto focus, I may be selling the K-3 and battery grip. No sense keeping a $1,000 camera around that doesn't get used.

rawr · 06-04-2015, 03:20 AM

On the subject of the Sigma 70-200 HSM II:

53 - Tight in the curve - KTM - North Coast Road Racers on Flickr

91 knee down - North Coast Road Racers on Flickr

MotoX Trio in orange - North Coast Road Racers on Flickr

JeremyP · 07-02-2015, 08:02 AM

I got my Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 HSM II back. The firmware was updated, but it is still hunting on the K-3 (both my copy and a copy at the store). I was able to return the camera to the store, but only for store credit. I will be sticking with my K-5 for now, but I doubt I will be buying another Pentax DSLR camera in the future.

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05-25-2015, 03:37 PM	#16
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by JeremyP I'm sending it in for a firmware updrade but I was wondering if you had any issues with this? I've had no issues. I point the lens at something, it focusses, usually very quickly. Of course, if something is within the minimum focus distance for the lens, it will hunt. Or if you have a subject with zero contrast, or anything else like pic related happening (courtesy of Nikon), it may hunt: I'm not aware of any lens firmware update for that lens. But I'd be interested to hear whether Sigma say there is a firmware update available. The biggest problem I had with that lens used to be lots of flare when shooting towards stadium lighting. That problem was solved by adding the lens hood adapter [HA 850-01] onto that lens.

05-27-2015, 07:06 AM	#17
JeremyP Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 83	Originally posted by rawr I've had no issues. I point the lens at something, it focusses, usually very quickly. Of course, if something is within the minimum focus distance for the lens, it will hunt. Or if you have a subject with zero contrast, or anything else like pic related happening (courtesy of Nikon), it may hunt: I'm not aware of any lens firmware update for that lens. But I'd be interested to hear whether Sigma say there is a firmware update available. The biggest problem I had with that lens used to be lots of flare when shooting towards stadium lighting. That problem was solved by adding the lens hood adapter [HA 850-01] onto that lens. I was comparing the lens on my new K-3 against my K-5, with the same settings and in the same situation. I also compared the auto focus with my 18-135mm DC lens, again with same/similar settings, and there's definitely a problem with it hunting. Even in the store it did the same thing, and I tried the Pentax 18-270mm and it didn't have a problem with the lighting. I hope there's a firmware fix, otherwise I wasted money buying the K-3 as I use the 70-200mm 80-90% of the time. I'll update this thread when I hear anything.

06-02-2015, 10:10 AM	#18
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677	Originally posted by JeremyP I was comparing the lens on my new K-3 against my K-5, with the same settings and in the same situation. I also compared the auto focus with my 18-135mm DC lens, again with same/similar settings, and there's definitely a problem with it hunting. Even in the store it did the same thing, and I tried the Pentax 18-270mm and it didn't have a problem with the lighting. I hope there's a firmware fix, otherwise I wasted money buying the K-3 as I use the 70-200mm 80-90% of the time. I'll update this thread when I hear anything. If you find out you don't like your K-3, I'd be happy to discuss a trade or buying it from you!?

06-03-2015, 02:53 PM	#19
JeremyP Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 83	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied If you find out you don't like your K-3, I'd be happy to discuss a trade or buying it from you!? Hopefully it doesn't come to that, but if sending it in to Sigma doesn't fix the auto focus, I may be selling the K-3 and battery grip. No sense keeping a $1,000 camera around that doesn't get used.

06-04-2015, 03:20 AM	#20
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	On the subject of the Sigma 70-200 HSM II: 53 - Tight in the curve - KTM - North Coast Road Racers on Flickr 91 knee down - North Coast Road Racers on Flickr MotoX Trio in orange - North Coast Road Racers on Flickr

07-02-2015, 08:02 AM	#21
JeremyP Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 83	I got my Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 HSM II back. The firmware was updated, but it is still hunting on the K-3 (both my copy and a copy at the store). I was able to return the camera to the store, but only for store credit. I will be sticking with my K-5 for now, but I doubt I will be buying another Pentax DSLR camera in the future.