Focus comfirmation beep: how unique is this feature to Pentax (K-1)?

biz-engineer · 07-21-2021, 05:21 AM

Originally posted by volley

With a good focusing screen and correct shim thickness, manual focusing works very well and is a lot of fun.

Yes. That's not what come with digital camera sold new. I didn't want to mean that dig. camera don't work for MF, I meant they just aren't designed for MF, otherwise MF could be done much much better.

**volley** · 07-21-2021, 05:36 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Yes. That's not what come with digital camera sold new. I didn't want to mean that dig. camera don't work for MF, I meant they just aren't designed for MF, otherwise MF could be done much much better.

I agree. For predictable and reliable results with MF it needs a little more effort to "tune" the camera/the focusing screen as well as the shooting technique.
For me personally AF never felt "natural" ... I've started to take pictures more than 45 years ago and hadn't touched an AF camera until 11 years ago

**microlight** · 07-21-2021, 05:58 AM - **1 Like**

I’ve always turned the confirmation beep off as I find it too intrusive.

**Mikesul** · 07-21-2021, 07:22 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by othar

Partly yes. DSLRs have 2 AF systems: phase detect AF for the optical viewfinder and contrast detect AF via the sensor when using LV.
Mirrorless cameras only use contrast detection (as far as I am aware).

Recent Sony mirrorless cameras use both PDAF and CDAF.

Fogel70 · 07-21-2021, 07:46 AM

The manual focus method I like best so far on digital cameras is the extract edge focus peaking that Ricoh introduced in their recent cameras.
Using focus confirmation on old vintage lenses has the disadvantage of only working with the central AF point only.

The extract edge function together with the tiltable screen makes it a joy to use KP for manual focus.

stevebrot · 07-21-2021, 10:42 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

On digital cameras, manual focus is more about luck.

I do a lot of manual focus work with my K-3 and my experience is that fine focus requires attention to that detail. Unfortunately, PDAF focus confirmation is a rather dull tool to apply to the task.

Steve

stevebrot · 07-21-2021, 10:59 AM

Originally posted by Fogel70

Using focus confirmation on old vintage lenses has the disadvantage of only working with the central AF point only.

The center-point-only rule applies to manual focus regardless of age, lens generation, or year bottled.

Steve

Fogel70 · 07-21-2021, 11:37 AM

Yeah, that is true. Just shows how long it's been since I used it.
Nowadays I kind of automatically switch to LV for manual focus.

peggers · 07-21-2021, 05:27 PM

On the subject of which, I have a K-1 and also find the beep to be very useful. However, is there a quick way of turning it on and off rather than diving into the menus?

Paul the Sunman · 07-21-2021, 06:28 PM

But there's no beep in AF.C mode, for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, I miss it.

Unregistered User · 07-22-2021, 07:20 AM

Both Nikon and Canon have indication for manual lens on the camera so not very unique.

norwegianoutdoors · 07-22-2021, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by Tjompen1968

Both Nikon and Canon have indication for manual lens on the camera so not very unique.

A bit imprecise dear neighbor. "...have indication for manual lens on the camera". What does that mean?

Unregistered User · 07-22-2021, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by norwegianoutdoors

A bit imprecise dear neighbor. "...have indication for manual lens on the camera". What does that mean?

It means that if you put a manual lens on the camera it will help you focus by telling you when the AF in the camera think that the camera is focused. Nikon has two arrows pointing to where to move focus. Canon beeps in the same manner that the Pentax do.

norwegianoutdoors · 07-23-2021, 01:40 AM

Originally posted by Tjompen1968

It means that if you put a manual lens on the camera it will help you focus by telling you when the AF in the camera think that the camera is focused. Nikon has two arrows pointing to where to move focus. Canon beeps in the same manner that the Pentax do.

Maybe the DSLRs do, it's been a while since I used the D850. But both Nikon and Canon are now doing mirrorless first and foremost. I don't remember how the Z7 does, it's been a while, but the Canon R5 I have in front of me does not beep, and the focus guide only works with manual lenses with electronic connection...

I was mainly comparing the focus comfirmation of the K-1 to the newer cameras though, newer cameras are, without the exception of K3iii - mirrorless..

**Kerrowdown** · 07-23-2021, 01:44 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

On digital cameras, manual focus is more about luck.

Originally posted by volley

You might want to share your wisdom with @Kerrowdown ... and his collection of manual glass.
Judging by his results he must have an awful lot of luck!

Oh dear... does this mean I'm more "doomed" than Pentax?

Youtu.be

07-21-2021, 06:28 PM	#25
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	But there's no beep in AF.C mode, for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, I miss it. Last edited by Paul the Sunman; 07-22-2021 at 05:29 AM.

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07-21-2021, 05:21 AM	#16
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	Originally posted by volley With a good focusing screen and correct shim thickness, manual focusing works very well and is a lot of fun. Yes. That's not what come with digital camera sold new. I didn't want to mean that dig. camera don't work for MF, I meant they just aren't designed for MF, otherwise MF could be done much much better.

07-21-2021, 05:36 AM	#17
volley Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Springe Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,693	Originally posted by biz-engineer Yes. That's not what come with digital camera sold new. I didn't want to mean that dig. camera don't work for MF, I meant they just aren't designed for MF, otherwise MF could be done much much better. I agree. For predictable and reliable results with MF it needs a little more effort to "tune" the camera/the focusing screen as well as the shooting technique. For me personally AF never felt "natural" ... I've started to take pictures more than 45 years ago and hadn't touched an AF camera until 11 years ago

07-21-2021, 05:58 AM - 1 Like	#18
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	I’ve always turned the confirmation beep off as I find it too intrusive.

07-21-2021, 07:22 AM - 1 Like	#19
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Originally posted by othar Partly yes. DSLRs have 2 AF systems: phase detect AF for the optical viewfinder and contrast detect AF via the sensor when using LV. Mirrorless cameras only use contrast detection (as far as I am aware). Recent Sony mirrorless cameras use both PDAF and CDAF.

07-21-2021, 07:46 AM	#20
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	The manual focus method I like best so far on digital cameras is the extract edge focus peaking that Ricoh introduced in their recent cameras. Using focus confirmation on old vintage lenses has the disadvantage of only working with the central AF point only. The extract edge function together with the tiltable screen makes it a joy to use KP for manual focus.

07-21-2021, 10:42 AM	#21
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by biz-engineer On digital cameras, manual focus is more about luck. I do a lot of manual focus work with my K-3 and my experience is that fine focus requires attention to that detail. Unfortunately, PDAF focus confirmation is a rather dull tool to apply to the task. Steve

07-21-2021, 10:59 AM	#22
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Fogel70 Using focus confirmation on old vintage lenses has the disadvantage of only working with the central AF point only. The center-point-only rule applies to manual focus regardless of age, lens generation, or year bottled. Steve

07-21-2021, 11:37 AM	#23
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	Yeah, that is true. Just shows how long it's been since I used it. Nowadays I kind of automatically switch to LV for manual focus.

07-21-2021, 05:27 PM	#24
peggers Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Endeavour Hills, Victoria, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 210	On the subject of which, I have a K-1 and also find the beep to be very useful. However, is there a quick way of turning it on and off rather than diving into the menus?

07-22-2021, 07:20 AM	#26
Unregistered User Guest	Both Nikon and Canon have indication for manual lens on the camera so not very unique.

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07-22-2021, 12:11 PM	#27
norwegianoutdoors Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Telemark Posts: 86 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tjompen1968 Both Nikon and Canon have indication for manual lens on the camera so not very unique. A bit imprecise dear neighbor. "...have indication for manual lens on the camera". What does that mean?

07-22-2021, 04:28 PM	#28
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by norwegianoutdoors A bit imprecise dear neighbor. "...have indication for manual lens on the camera". What does that mean? It means that if you put a manual lens on the camera it will help you focus by telling you when the AF in the camera think that the camera is focused. Nikon has two arrows pointing to where to move focus. Canon beeps in the same manner that the Pentax do.

07-23-2021, 01:40 AM	#29
norwegianoutdoors Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Telemark Posts: 86 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tjompen1968 It means that if you put a manual lens on the camera it will help you focus by telling you when the AF in the camera think that the camera is focused. Nikon has two arrows pointing to where to move focus. Canon beeps in the same manner that the Pentax do. Maybe the DSLRs do, it's been a while since I used the D850. But both Nikon and Canon are now doing mirrorless first and foremost. I don't remember how the Z7 does, it's been a while, but the Canon R5 I have in front of me does not beep, and the focus guide only works with manual lenses with electronic connection... I was mainly comparing the focus comfirmation of the K-1 to the newer cameras though, newer cameras are, without the exception of K3iii - mirrorless..