Awful autofocus on moving subjects!!!!

SBeck · 05-30-2017, 10:45 AM - **5 Likes**

I just don't understand why Pentax would release a camera with such horrible performance...

Adam · 05-30-2017, 10:46 AM - **1 Like**

I see what you did there

timw4mail · 05-30-2017, 10:48 AM

Was that with a Screw-drive or lens motor focus?

SBeck · 05-30-2017, 10:49 AM - **1 Like**

Screw drive... Tamron 70-200/2.8

**jatrax** · 05-30-2017, 10:49 AM

Might want to add the <sarc> tag to that............................

SBeck · 05-30-2017, 10:54 AM - **1 Like**

Terrible!

amodali · 05-30-2017, 10:59 AM

Was autofocus mode set to AF-C?

SBeck · 05-30-2017, 11:20 AM

Yes, AF-C with focus priority. I did play around with some settings over the course of the weekend, going from Sel-9 to auto-9 to center point; also changed AF-hold a few times because early on I'd follow a dog while shooting a burst and cross a golf cart in the middle of the field (with people judging the races), but eventually found that anticipating where my line of sight would be blocked provided for a moment to let the buffer empty - I never had a problem immediately reacquiring focus after brief pauses. Overall it was more a matter of my own technique for following the dogs, as long as the focus point(s) were over a dog, the camera was staying with them no matter what direction they went.

Most shots were taken at F4 although some were wide open (which with this lens produces a somewhat soft, almost glowing/diffused effect that I was not thrilled with, but it was a better tradeoff than using a higher ISO for shots where the dogs were too far away to salvage acceptable levels of detail from a noisy image)

amodali · 05-30-2017, 11:52 AM

Great job! Thanks a lot for suggestion

victormeldrew · 05-30-2017, 12:09 PM

I do a lot of dogs with the Tamron myself and I also find I can get a lot of keepers when they're running across shot (in other words with no focus movement required) but I find it does struggle to keep track of an animal running fast towards camera from medium to short distances and keepers drop considerably. Does the fact that you posted only one shot of this type suggest you also find this?

I make up for this by using focus traps of sorts...prefocusing where I hope the action will happen and firing a burst as they pass, but it would be nicer if the focus would just keep up.

35mmfilmfan · 05-30-2017, 12:13 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by SBeck

Terrible!

I agree ! Not a single blade of grass is acceptably sharp,and grass moves far more slowly than aminals.

SBeck · 05-30-2017, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by victormeldrew

I do a lot of dogs with the Tamron myself and I also find I can get a lot of keepers when they're running across shot (in other words with no focus movement required) but I find it does struggle to keep track of an animal running fast towards camera from medium to short distances and keepers drop considerably. Does the fact that you posted only one shot of this type suggest you also find this?

I make up for this by using focus traps of sorts...prefocusing where I hope the action will happen and firing a burst as they pass, but it would be nicer if the focus would just keep up.

My position on the field didn't provide for many head on shots at close range (800 yard course in a figure 8)... will make a point to prioritize that type of photo next event, I have a straight race in a couple of weeks and should be able to stay at the finish line. I have another 1400 photos to sort through, all shot in raw and I'm procrastinating... So far I've only processed a Best In Field runoff that had my own dog in it (and had a friend borrow my camera... from what I can tell he didn't really shoot bursts, the keeper rate was high, but he didn't take a lot of shots - he did take photos of the dogs running towards/away though) and some random interesting ones to start posting online and identifying the owners easier.

**pasorro** · 05-30-2017, 01:25 PM

You need practice a lot more

**jpzk** · 05-30-2017, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by SBeck

Yes, AF-C with focus priority. I did play around with some settings over the course of the weekend, going from Sel-9 to auto-9 to center point; also changed AF-hold a few times because early on I'd follow a dog while shooting a burst and cross a golf cart in the middle of the field (with people judging the races), but eventually found that anticipating where my line of sight would be blocked provided for a moment to let the buffer empty - I never had a problem immediately reacquiring focus after brief pauses. Overall it was more a matter of my own technique for following the dogs, as long as the focus point(s) were over a dog, the camera was staying with them no matter what direction they went.

Most shots were taken at F4 although some were wide open (which with this lens produces a somewhat soft, almost glowing/diffused effect that I was not thrilled with, but it was a better tradeoff than using a higher ISO for shots where the dogs were too far away to salvage acceptable levels of detail from a noisy image)

At what setting did you set the "AF-Hold" and decided it was "good to go" ?!

**monochrome** · 05-30-2017, 03:20 PM - **1 Like**

I've often wished I could send my K-1 back for a refund . . . *

* you had me going there for a minute

.

05-30-2017, 10:45 AM - 5 Likes	#1
SBeck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 113	Awful autofocus on moving subjects!!!! I just don't understand why Pentax would release a camera with such horrible performance...

05-30-2017, 10:46 AM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	I see what you did there Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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05-30-2017, 10:48 AM	#3
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Was that with a Screw-drive or lens motor focus?

05-30-2017, 10:49 AM - 1 Like	#4
SBeck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 113 Original Poster	Screw drive... Tamron 70-200/2.8

05-30-2017, 10:49 AM	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Might want to add the <sarc> tag to that............................

05-30-2017, 10:54 AM - 1 Like	#6
SBeck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 113 Original Poster	Terrible!

05-30-2017, 10:59 AM	#7
amodali Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Rome Photos: Gallery Posts: 99	Was autofocus mode set to AF-C?

05-30-2017, 11:20 AM	#8
SBeck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 113 Original Poster	Yes, AF-C with focus priority. I did play around with some settings over the course of the weekend, going from Sel-9 to auto-9 to center point; also changed AF-hold a few times because early on I'd follow a dog while shooting a burst and cross a golf cart in the middle of the field (with people judging the races), but eventually found that anticipating where my line of sight would be blocked provided for a moment to let the buffer empty - I never had a problem immediately reacquiring focus after brief pauses. Overall it was more a matter of my own technique for following the dogs, as long as the focus point(s) were over a dog, the camera was staying with them no matter what direction they went. Most shots were taken at F4 although some were wide open (which with this lens produces a somewhat soft, almost glowing/diffused effect that I was not thrilled with, but it was a better tradeoff than using a higher ISO for shots where the dogs were too far away to salvage acceptable levels of detail from a noisy image)

05-30-2017, 11:52 AM	#9
amodali Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Rome Photos: Gallery Posts: 99	Great job! Thanks a lot for suggestion

05-30-2017, 12:09 PM	#10
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	I do a lot of dogs with the Tamron myself and I also find I can get a lot of keepers when they're running across shot (in other words with no focus movement required) but I find it does struggle to keep track of an animal running fast towards camera from medium to short distances and keepers drop considerably. Does the fact that you posted only one shot of this type suggest you also find this? I make up for this by using focus traps of sorts...prefocusing where I hope the action will happen and firing a burst as they pass, but it would be nicer if the focus would just keep up.

05-30-2017, 12:13 PM - 2 Likes	#11
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,329	Originally posted by SBeck Terrible! I agree ! Not a single blade of grass is acceptably sharp,and grass moves far more slowly than aminals.

05-30-2017, 12:41 PM	#12
SBeck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 113 Original Poster	Originally posted by victormeldrew I do a lot of dogs with the Tamron myself and I also find I can get a lot of keepers when they're running across shot (in other words with no focus movement required) but I find it does struggle to keep track of an animal running fast towards camera from medium to short distances and keepers drop considerably. Does the fact that you posted only one shot of this type suggest you also find this? I make up for this by using focus traps of sorts...prefocusing where I hope the action will happen and firing a burst as they pass, but it would be nicer if the focus would just keep up. My position on the field didn't provide for many head on shots at close range (800 yard course in a figure 8)... will make a point to prioritize that type of photo next event, I have a straight race in a couple of weeks and should be able to stay at the finish line. I have another 1400 photos to sort through, all shot in raw and I'm procrastinating... So far I've only processed a Best In Field runoff that had my own dog in it (and had a friend borrow my camera... from what I can tell he didn't really shoot bursts, the keeper rate was high, but he didn't take a lot of shots - he did take photos of the dogs running towards/away though) and some random interesting ones to start posting online and identifying the owners easier.

05-30-2017, 01:25 PM	#13
pasorro Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 132	You need practice a lot more

05-30-2017, 02:13 PM	#14
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by SBeck Yes, AF-C with focus priority. I did play around with some settings over the course of the weekend, going from Sel-9 to auto-9 to center point; also changed AF-hold a few times because early on I'd follow a dog while shooting a burst and cross a golf cart in the middle of the field (with people judging the races), but eventually found that anticipating where my line of sight would be blocked provided for a moment to let the buffer empty - I never had a problem immediately reacquiring focus after brief pauses. Overall it was more a matter of my own technique for following the dogs, as long as the focus point(s) were over a dog, the camera was staying with them no matter what direction they went. Most shots were taken at F4 although some were wide open (which with this lens produces a somewhat soft, almost glowing/diffused effect that I was not thrilled with, but it was a better tradeoff than using a higher ISO for shots where the dogs were too far away to salvage acceptable levels of detail from a noisy image) At what setting did you set the "AF-Hold" and decided it was "good to go" ?!

05-30-2017, 03:20 PM - 1 Like	#15
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I've often wished I could send my K-1 back for a refund . . . * * you had me going there for a minute .