K-3 AF.C questions

Lurch · 01-12-2014, 04:26 AM

Evening guys,
The photoshoot i did yesterday with the bikes was good practice for my panning (although I still need A LOT of work).
I had the camera set to AF.C and 9-point focus. Is this right? Is there something I missed?
(Given that the Sigma 70-300 is not the most accurate/fastest AF lens)

While I'm at it; I'm sure I had my K-5 configured to AF *only* on the rear AF button, with AF disabled on the half-shutter. But I'm stuffed if I can find where to disable AF on the shutter on the K-3. Help?
Never mind - got it. RTFM. Disabling shutter focus is on setting the AF button to 'AF2'

Last edited by Lurch; 01-12-2014 at 06:06 AM.

derekkite · 01-12-2014, 09:40 AM

I change between spot focus and 27 point with center selected. Hold on medium. In some situations where the contrast is low and there are a bunch of things close to the same focus distance the extended af gets a bit confused. I have user settings to switch quickly.

Lurch · 01-12-2014, 08:19 PM

Hold on medium?

dosdan · 01-16-2014, 04:35 AM

Originally posted by Lurch

Hold on medium?

Menu C3 Item #17

Hold AF Status: Medium

Dan.

Lurch · 01-16-2014, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by dosdan

Menu C3 Item #17

Hold AF Status: Medium

Dan.

Gotchya - thanks mate

gregmoll · 01-16-2014, 11:11 PM

Trying to learn how to use the K-3’s Focus Tracking for BIF, I practised on cars using the following settings.

SETUP AS USER 3
EXPOSURE MODE - TAv
SHUTTER SPEED - 1000s
f STOP - F4
AUTO ISO RANGE - 100-6400
SHAKE REDUCTION - OFF
CONTINUOUS SHOOTING - MEDIUM
FOCUS AREA – SELECT CENTRE SPOT 9 POINT(PINK)
16-3 FIRST FRAME = FOCUS PRIORITY
17-1 AFA CONTINIUS SHOOTING FOCUS PRIORITY
18-4 HOLD AF STATUS - OFF

You can see the results here.
K-3 Focus Tracking at F8 - a set on Flickr
K-3 Focus Tracking at F4 - a set on Flickr

Has anyone run a similar test and what were your findings.
Greg

derekkite · 01-17-2014, 11:56 PM

I was shooting hawks this week with the DA*300 and found spot focus was necessary. They were mostly against the ground or hills in the background, and the closest was about 50 yards. I had to pan precisely, but managed to get some nice shots. Everything happened very fast, and being so far away the subject was small in the viewfinder. I use Tv and let the iso float with the lens wide open.

If things are closer in the extended points works well. But the body needs something to bite on, and small subjects in the distance don't give it enough to work with.

I need a longer lens.

beachmama · 02-01-2014, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by dosdan

Menu C3 Item #17

Hold AF Status: Medium

Dan.

It's actually #18 ~ Hold AF Status ~ Medium

garyoa1 · 02-05-2015, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by Lurch

Evening guys,
The photoshoot i did yesterday with the bikes was good practice for my panning (although I still need A LOT of work).
I had the camera set to AF.C and 9-point focus. Is this right? Is there something I missed?
(Given that the Sigma 70-300 is not the most accurate/fastest AF lens)

While I'm at it; I'm sure I had my K-5 configured to AF *only* on the rear AF button, with AF disabled on the half-shutter. But I'm stuffed if I can find where to disable AF on the shutter on the K-3. Help?
Never mind - got it. RTFM. Disabling shutter focus is on setting the AF button to 'AF2'

That's fine, but if it's grayed out... then what?

audiobomber · 02-05-2015, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by gregmoll

Trying to learn how to use the K-3’s Focus Tracking for BIF, I practised on cars using the following settings.

SETUP AS USER 3
EXPOSURE MODE - TAv
SHUTTER SPEED - 1000s
f STOP - F4
AUTO ISO RANGE - 100-6400
SHAKE REDUCTION - OFF
CONTINUOUS SHOOTING - MEDIUM
FOCUS AREA – SELECT CENTRE SPOT 9 POINT(PINK)
16-3 FIRST FRAME = FOCUS PRIORITY
17-1 AFA CONTINIUS SHOOTING FOCUS PRIORITY
18-4 HOLD AF STATUS - OFF

Has anyone run a similar test and what were your findings.
Greg

I've shot hundreds of BIF images. My settings are very similar to the above. Here are the differences:
f/5.6 with the DA*300mm, f8 if I'm using the TC, f8 with the 55-300 (good DOF, maximum sharpness in each case)
Continuous shooting max (8fps)
Center point, 27-point expansion (I did use 9-point for vehicles but it's too hard to keep birds in the frame)
Hold AF status, Low - produced the most hits with BIF
I add 0.5EV and fine tune in post

Let us know how your shoot goes.

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01-12-2014, 04:26 AM	#1
Lurch Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 582	K-3 AF.C questions Evening guys, The photoshoot i did yesterday with the bikes was good practice for my panning (although I still need A LOT of work). I had the camera set to AF.C and 9-point focus. Is this right? Is there something I missed? (Given that the Sigma 70-300 is not the most accurate/fastest AF lens) While I'm at it; I'm sure I had my K-5 configured to AF only on the rear AF button, with AF disabled on the half-shutter. But I'm stuffed if I can find where to disable AF on the shutter on the K-3. Help? Never mind - got it. RTFM. Disabling shutter focus is on setting the AF button to 'AF2' Last edited by Lurch; 01-12-2014 at 06:06 AM.

01-12-2014, 09:40 AM	#2
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	I change between spot focus and 27 point with center selected. Hold on medium. In some situations where the contrast is low and there are a bunch of things close to the same focus distance the extended af gets a bit confused. I have user settings to switch quickly.

01-12-2014, 08:19 PM	#3
Lurch Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 582 Original Poster	Hold on medium?

01-16-2014, 04:35 AM	#4
dosdan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,741	Originally posted by Lurch Hold on medium? Menu C3 Item #17 Hold AF Status: Medium Dan.

01-16-2014, 03:03 PM	#5
Lurch Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 582 Original Poster	Originally posted by dosdan Menu C3 Item #17 Hold AF Status: Medium Dan. Gotchya - thanks mate

01-16-2014, 11:11 PM	#6
gregmoll Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 62	Trying to learn how to use the K-3’s Focus Tracking for BIF, I practised on cars using the following settings. SETUP AS USER 3 EXPOSURE MODE - TAv SHUTTER SPEED - 1000s f STOP - F4 AUTO ISO RANGE - 100-6400 SHAKE REDUCTION - OFF CONTINUOUS SHOOTING - MEDIUM FOCUS AREA – SELECT CENTRE SPOT 9 POINT(PINK) 16-3 FIRST FRAME = FOCUS PRIORITY 17-1 AFA CONTINIUS SHOOTING FOCUS PRIORITY 18-4 HOLD AF STATUS - OFF You can see the results here. K-3 Focus Tracking at F8 - a set on Flickr K-3 Focus Tracking at F4 - a set on Flickr Has anyone run a similar test and what were your findings. Greg

01-17-2014, 11:56 PM	#7
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	I was shooting hawks this week with the DA*300 and found spot focus was necessary. They were mostly against the ground or hills in the background, and the closest was about 50 yards. I had to pan precisely, but managed to get some nice shots. Everything happened very fast, and being so far away the subject was small in the viewfinder. I use Tv and let the iso float with the lens wide open. If things are closer in the extended points works well. But the body needs something to bite on, and small subjects in the distance don't give it enough to work with. I need a longer lens.

02-01-2014, 11:53 AM	#8
beachmama New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 12	Originally posted by dosdan Menu C3 Item #17 Hold AF Status: Medium Dan. It's actually #18 ~ Hold AF Status ~ Medium

02-05-2015, 05:22 PM	#9
garyoa1 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 37	Originally posted by Lurch Evening guys, The photoshoot i did yesterday with the bikes was good practice for my panning (although I still need A LOT of work). I had the camera set to AF.C and 9-point focus. Is this right? Is there something I missed? (Given that the Sigma 70-300 is not the most accurate/fastest AF lens) While I'm at it; I'm sure I had my K-5 configured to AF only on the rear AF button, with AF disabled on the half-shutter. But I'm stuffed if I can find where to disable AF on the shutter on the K-3. Help? Never mind - got it. RTFM. Disabling shutter focus is on setting the AF button to 'AF2' That's fine, but if it's grayed out... then what?

02-05-2015, 08:43 PM	#10
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by gregmoll Trying to learn how to use the K-3’s Focus Tracking for BIF, I practised on cars using the following settings. SETUP AS USER 3 EXPOSURE MODE - TAv SHUTTER SPEED - 1000s f STOP - F4 AUTO ISO RANGE - 100-6400 SHAKE REDUCTION - OFF CONTINUOUS SHOOTING - MEDIUM FOCUS AREA – SELECT CENTRE SPOT 9 POINT(PINK) 16-3 FIRST FRAME = FOCUS PRIORITY 17-1 AFA CONTINIUS SHOOTING FOCUS PRIORITY 18-4 HOLD AF STATUS - OFF Has anyone run a similar test and what were your findings. Greg I've shot hundreds of BIF images. My settings are very similar to the above. Here are the differences: f/5.6 with the DA*300mm, f8 if I'm using the TC, f8 with the 55-300 (good DOF, maximum sharpness in each case) Continuous shooting max (8fps) Center point, 27-point expansion (I did use 9-point for vehicles but it's too hard to keep birds in the frame) Hold AF status, Low - produced the most hits with BIF I add 0.5EV and fine tune in post Let us know how your shoot goes.