K10D + M lens focusing

**Ash** · 02-22-2008, 07:43 AM

G'day all.

Went for a test drive of my 'new' K10D (thanks to wildherre) and M 200/4 (thanks to GatorPentax) tonight at a local softball game.

Love the K10D, worth the upgrade from the K100D - but as others pointed out, may have a little more noise at high ISO, which I had to use for tonight.

Yep, I'm impressed with the M 200's images. Nicely rendered straight from the camera with only slight underexposure fixed on the most part by Adobe Camera Raw (I've got the LL-60 viewfinder screen, which may explain some of that).

But I do have a K10D noob question: Is there a way to permit AF locking when half-pressing the shutter release, or even shooting without AF locked, when using MF lenses? Apologies in advance if this question is answered in the manual - I guess I only had a 'boy-look' through it to try and find the answer (and didn't find it).

I had the constant problem of setting my focus just right for a split second shot but the shutter wouldn't fire because focus lock kept being lost. And of course only when the subject in the centre was focus locked would it release the shutter. So no recomposing was permitted, otherwise the focus lock would drop off.

With all the other AF lenses, I'd been able to lock focus with the shutter button and keep it locked despite recomposing the shot. Any way to overcome this with MF lenses, or do I have to live with this limitation?

Thanks for your advice in advance.

Last edited by Ash; 02-22-2008 at 07:48 AM.

Bostjan · 02-22-2008, 07:48 AM

Did You remember to set the AF/MF switch to MF? If You leave it in AF, the shutter will release only when the camera determines the focus.

Bostjan

AndrewShirley · 02-22-2008, 12:11 PM

Either AF-C or MF will do the trick. I use MF with the same lens.

How do you compare the 200/4 to your other lenses?

- Andrew

**Ash** · 02-22-2008, 03:35 PM

OMG!
Simple mistake! Yep, I left it in AF-S, so the camera behaved as you described.
Thanks Bostjan!

Andrew, so far I've only taken the M 200 out with me on that softball shoot last night. I'm quite pleased. Leagues ahead of my previous telephoto (Sigma 70-300 non-APO) but I guess there's simply no comparison there... (apples & oranges)

Samples shot at ISO 1250 under floodlights:

**Canada_Rockies** · 02-23-2008, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by Ash

OMG!
Simple mistake! Yep, I left it in AF-S, so the camera behaved as you described.
Thanks Bostjan!

In my SF-1 manual, this is touted as an advantage, and named snap-in-focus. The AF.S behaviour could be an advantage for base shots of runners and sliders. Focus carefully were you want the base runner to be when the shot is taken, using the green hexagon to let you know. Then when the runner is coming to the base, hold down the shutter release and follow the runner. The camera will take an image the instant it detects focus.

christinelandon · 02-24-2008, 11:00 PM

Interesting tip, Albert. I'm going to give that a try when I pick up a K-mount adapter to try my M42 lenses on the DSLR.

Tom M · 02-25-2008, 07:03 AM

Just remember to use center spot focus when using trap-focus technique.

**Canada_Rockies** · 02-25-2008, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by Tom M

Just remember to use center spot focus when using trap-focus technique.

The only focus point that is active with a manual focus lens is the center one. K10D manual, p. 132.

JrPentax · 03-15-2008, 04:12 AM

i wish the samples wernt gone

AndrewShirley · 03-15-2008, 05:28 AM

Originally posted by Ash

OMG!
Andrew, so far I've only taken the M 200 out with me on that softball shoot last night. I'm quite pleased. Leagues ahead of my previous telephoto (Sigma 70-300 non-APO) but I guess there's simply no comparison there... (apples & oranges)

I did a comparison between the Pentax 200/4 and Sigma 70-300 APO and found the Sigma to be better at most Apertures. I must have a good copy of the Sigma, or bad copy of the Pentax

At any rate, it just goes to show how the art has advanced over the years.

(I also found the Sigma to be significantly better at controlling flare)

Here's the original note:
Sigma 70-300 AP vs Pentax 200/4: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Here's the supporting images:

- Andrew

02-22-2008, 07:43 AM	#1
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	K10D + M lens focusing G'day all. Went for a test drive of my 'new' K10D (thanks to wildherre) and M 200/4 (thanks to GatorPentax) tonight at a local softball game. Love the K10D, worth the upgrade from the K100D - but as others pointed out, may have a little more noise at high ISO, which I had to use for tonight. Yep, I'm impressed with the M 200's images. Nicely rendered straight from the camera with only slight underexposure fixed on the most part by Adobe Camera Raw (I've got the LL-60 viewfinder screen, which may explain some of that). But I do have a K10D noob question: Is there a way to permit AF locking when half-pressing the shutter release, or even shooting without AF locked, when using MF lenses? Apologies in advance if this question is answered in the manual - I guess I only had a 'boy-look' through it to try and find the answer (and didn't find it). I had the constant problem of setting my focus just right for a split second shot but the shutter wouldn't fire because focus lock kept being lost. And of course only when the subject in the centre was focus locked would it release the shutter. So no recomposing was permitted, otherwise the focus lock would drop off. With all the other AF lenses, I'd been able to lock focus with the shutter button and keep it locked despite recomposing the shot. Any way to overcome this with MF lenses, or do I have to live with this limitation? Thanks for your advice in advance. Last edited by Ash; 02-22-2008 at 07:48 AM.

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02-22-2008, 07:48 AM	#2
Bostjan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Slovenia Posts: 140	Did You remember to set the AF/MF switch to MF? If You leave it in AF, the shutter will release only when the camera determines the focus. Bostjan

02-22-2008, 12:11 PM	#3
AndrewShirley Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 421	Either AF-C or MF will do the trick. I use MF with the same lens. How do you compare the 200/4 to your other lenses? - Andrew

02-22-2008, 03:35 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920 Original Poster	OMG! Simple mistake! Yep, I left it in AF-S, so the camera behaved as you described. Thanks Bostjan! Andrew, so far I've only taken the M 200 out with me on that softball shoot last night. I'm quite pleased. Leagues ahead of my previous telephoto (Sigma 70-300 non-APO) but I guess there's simply no comparison there... (apples & oranges) Samples shot at ISO 1250 under floodlights:

02-23-2008, 11:12 PM	#5
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Ash OMG! Simple mistake! Yep, I left it in AF-S, so the camera behaved as you described. Thanks Bostjan! In my SF-1 manual, this is touted as an advantage, and named snap-in-focus. The AF.S behaviour could be an advantage for base shots of runners and sliders. Focus carefully were you want the base runner to be when the shot is taken, using the green hexagon to let you know. Then when the runner is coming to the base, hold down the shutter release and follow the runner. The camera will take an image the instant it detects focus.

02-24-2008, 11:00 PM	#6
christinelandon Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 812	Interesting tip, Albert. I'm going to give that a try when I pick up a K-mount adapter to try my M42 lenses on the DSLR.

02-25-2008, 07:03 AM	#7
Tom M Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lincoln Park, NJ Photos: Gallery Posts: 780	Just remember to use center spot focus when using trap-focus technique.

02-25-2008, 04:01 PM	#8
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Tom M Just remember to use center spot focus when using trap-focus technique. The only focus point that is active with a manual focus lens is the center one. K10D manual, p. 132.

03-15-2008, 04:12 AM	#9
JrPentax Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 93	i wish the samples wernt gone

03-15-2008, 05:28 AM	#10
AndrewShirley Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 421	Originally posted by Ash OMG! Andrew, so far I've only taken the M 200 out with me on that softball shoot last night. I'm quite pleased. Leagues ahead of my previous telephoto (Sigma 70-300 non-APO) but I guess there's simply no comparison there... (apples & oranges) I did a comparison between the Pentax 200/4 and Sigma 70-300 APO and found the Sigma to be better at most Apertures. I must have a good copy of the Sigma, or bad copy of the Pentax At any rate, it just goes to show how the art has advanced over the years. (I also found the Sigma to be significantly better at controlling flare) Here's the original note: Sigma 70-300 AP vs Pentax 200/4: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review Here's the supporting images: - Andrew