Perfect focus everytime

troika · 04-19-2014, 10:15 AM

Catch in focus is a reason toggle this setting back and forth, for people who use manual lenses.

Rockhardt · 04-20-2014, 10:25 PM

This is great stuff!

I'm a total noob with a K5 and usually I throw out more than half of my frames due to sharpness issue.

Read this last night and used it this morning. Immediately felt much improvement on my right hand grip to the camera. So much that I could use my left hand freely to play the zoom ring on my sigma 100-300mm (Solid right hand grip, left elbow out stance if you get what I mean..)

The result? Out of 250 frames, I got to keep around 200! Not all tack sharp, mind you. But enough for me to work on PP.

Most shot was taken using AF-C (kids on school yard) using combination of DA 18-55mm WR and Sigma 100-300mm. Many snapshots at FL 100mm using The Sig.

Again, great stuff. Thank you so much for sharing this.

troika · 05-10-2014, 10:38 AM

I'm curious if this technique would effectively "speed up" the AF experience with a lens notoriously slow, like an AF Macro lens. I would love to have something like the 70mm SIGMA Macro if I could use it as a short telephoto in addition to a macro.

Does someone following this thread have a macro lens that they could test this with?

Pentax Bob · 05-12-2014, 06:05 PM

Would you please review the set up sequence on a K-3. I think I did it corectly but not sure.
Thanks,
Pentax Bob

Wired · 05-12-2014, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by troika

I'm curious if this technique would effectively "speed up" the AF experience with a lens notoriously slow, like an AF Macro lens. I would love to have something like the 70mm SIGMA Macro if I could use it as a short telephoto in addition to a macro.

Does someone following this thread have a macro lens that they could test this with?

I was using this method with my DFA 50mm f2.8 when I had it. Doesn't really speed it up, but it does reduce the hunting as you can engage and disengage at will

---------- Post added 05-12-2014 at 09:28 PM ----------

Originally posted by Pentax Bob

Would you please review the set up sequence on a K-3. I think I did it corectly but not sure.
Thanks,
Pentax Bob

yea, I'll write it up on Wednesday for you when I get my K3 back from the studio. Forgot it there earlier today.

troika · 05-12-2014, 11:01 PM

Originally posted by Wired

I was using this method with my DFA 50mm f2.8 when I had it. Doesn't really speed it up, but it does reduce the hunting as you can engage and disengage at will

Thanks.

**OzzRod** · 05-17-2014, 12:24 PM

Luke, My thanks again for this tip. I'm on an overseas trip right now and shooting heaps. The technique is second nature now and the proportion of sharp photos has increased enormously. It's also restored my faith in my travel standby - the DA*16-50 - which had disappointed before with the lack of sharpness; it's shining now.

Pentax Bob · 05-18-2014, 02:18 PM

Wired,
I have not seen the set up instructions for the K-3. Did I miss it somewhere? Sounds like good stuff. Can't wait to start using it.
Thanks,
Pentax Bob

Wired · 05-18-2014, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by Pentax Bob

Wired,
I have not seen the set up instructions for the K-3. Did I miss it somewhere? Sounds like good stuff. Can't wait to start using it.
Thanks,
Pentax Bob

sorry, I just straight up forgot. I'll add the walk through to the main post right away.

Pentax Bob · 05-19-2014, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by Wired

sorry, I just straight up forgot. I'll add the walk through to the main post right away.

Got it. Thanks a bunch.

Pentax Bob

KRaZiGLiTcH · 05-20-2014, 10:53 PM

I have started using this method a while back probably like a month or two,When i got my K-5. For me it feels smoother and easier and photos are sharper ^_^ thanks heaps for such a great guide.

Monrozombi · 05-31-2014, 12:46 PM

I discovered this post today and couldn't wait to get home and switch my K5IIs to BBF. I'm leaving in a bit for a 6 year old's birthday party so i'm excited to see what i can get.

dcBear78 · 06-04-2014, 06:56 PM - **2 Likes**

Just thought I would share this shot, and explain how this technique made it easier for me to achieve the outcome. back button focus is not necessary but it makes the process easier and without it I may not have thought to change focus to AFC if I was using the half depress (standard) technique.

Travelling Nifty 50 and the Down Under Neighbourhood by dcBear78, on Flickr

I set my focus point to the middle of the lens and it gets that part focussed easily. I then discovered I had to change the distance of the camera to the subject to achieve focus on the front of the lens to get the writing crisp. So holding the focus button and it being in AFC means I could move the camera in and out, holding focus on the centre of the lens until the writing was also in focus. I guess a combo of auto and manual focus techniques in the one photo.

waterfall · 06-18-2014, 05:50 AM

Interesting. Much like using close focus with the 35mm Ltd. I will have to try with a standard (non-macro) lens.

altopiet · 06-18-2014, 07:52 AM

Using the OP's method with my DA55-300 and the battery grip on my K-5IIs, for sport shooting. Without the battery grip, and portrait mode, the AF button is not comfortable, and most of the time I end up engaging other buttons, ruining shots...
For close focus, or shots with thin DOF it might be good, if you have a fast focusing lens...

04-20-2014, 10:25 PM	#122
Rockhardt New Member Join Date: May 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 6	This is great stuff! I'm a total noob with a K5 and usually I throw out more than half of my frames due to sharpness issue. Read this last night and used it this morning. Immediately felt much improvement on my right hand grip to the camera. So much that I could use my left hand freely to play the zoom ring on my sigma 100-300mm (Solid right hand grip, left elbow out stance if you get what I mean..) The result? Out of 250 frames, I got to keep around 200! Not all tack sharp, mind you. But enough for me to work on PP. Most shot was taken using AF-C (kids on school yard) using combination of DA 18-55mm WR and Sigma 100-300mm. Many snapshots at FL 100mm using The Sig. Again, great stuff. Thank you so much for sharing this. Last edited by Rockhardt; 05-10-2014 at 05:02 PM.

05-12-2014, 06:05 PM	#124
Pentax Bob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Maryland Photos: Albums Posts: 119	Set up on K-3 Would you please review the set up sequence on a K-3. I think I did it corectly but not sure. Thanks, Pentax Bob

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Focus, Focus, Focus (or the usefulness of focus charts)	GoremanX	Pentax DSLR Discussion	31	12-21-2014 11:49 AM
For Sale - Sold: Sigma 24mm f2.8 SuperWide II (manual focus "A" lens) w/Perfect Hood	cheekygeek	Sold Items	8	10-03-2012 08:36 AM
Landscape Perfect Light	daacon	Post Your Photos!	38	08-23-2012 07:24 AM
Perfect subject with perfect light	codiac2600	Post Your Photos!	13	07-20-2008 06:35 AM
For Sale - Sold: FS: Banged up, but working *ist DL (perfect spare for focus screen or infrared	igowerf	Sold Items	3	01-06-2008 01:39 PM

04-19-2014, 10:15 AM	#121
troika Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle, WA USA Posts: 1,753	Catch in focus is a reason toggle this setting back and forth, for people who use manual lenses.

05-10-2014, 10:38 AM	#123
troika Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle, WA USA Posts: 1,753	I'm curious if this technique would effectively "speed up" the AF experience with a lens notoriously slow, like an AF Macro lens. I would love to have something like the 70mm SIGMA Macro if I could use it as a short telephoto in addition to a macro. Does someone following this thread have a macro lens that they could test this with?

05-12-2014, 08:27 PM	#125
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519 Original Poster	Originally posted by troika I'm curious if this technique would effectively "speed up" the AF experience with a lens notoriously slow, like an AF Macro lens. I would love to have something like the 70mm SIGMA Macro if I could use it as a short telephoto in addition to a macro. Does someone following this thread have a macro lens that they could test this with? I was using this method with my DFA 50mm f2.8 when I had it. Doesn't really speed it up, but it does reduce the hunting as you can engage and disengage at will ---------- Post added 05-12-2014 at 09:28 PM ---------- Originally posted by Pentax Bob Would you please review the set up sequence on a K-3. I think I did it corectly but not sure. Thanks, Pentax Bob yea, I'll write it up on Wednesday for you when I get my K3 back from the studio. Forgot it there earlier today.

05-12-2014, 11:01 PM	#126
troika Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle, WA USA Posts: 1,753	Originally posted by Wired I was using this method with my DFA 50mm f2.8 when I had it. Doesn't really speed it up, but it does reduce the hunting as you can engage and disengage at will Thanks.

05-17-2014, 12:24 PM	#127
OzzRod Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,322	Luke, My thanks again for this tip. I'm on an overseas trip right now and shooting heaps. The technique is second nature now and the proportion of sharp photos has increased enormously. It's also restored my faith in my travel standby - the DA*16-50 - which had disappointed before with the lack of sharpness; it's shining now.

05-18-2014, 02:18 PM	#128
Pentax Bob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Maryland Photos: Albums Posts: 119	Wired, I have not seen the set up instructions for the K-3. Did I miss it somewhere? Sounds like good stuff. Can't wait to start using it. Thanks, Pentax Bob

05-18-2014, 07:50 PM	#129
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pentax Bob Wired, I have not seen the set up instructions for the K-3. Did I miss it somewhere? Sounds like good stuff. Can't wait to start using it. Thanks, Pentax Bob sorry, I just straight up forgot. I'll add the walk through to the main post right away.

05-19-2014, 09:23 AM	#130
Pentax Bob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Maryland Photos: Albums Posts: 119	Originally posted by Wired sorry, I just straight up forgot. I'll add the walk through to the main post right away. Got it. Thanks a bunch. Pentax Bob

05-20-2014, 10:53 PM	#131
KRaZiGLiTcH Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 204	I have started using this method a while back probably like a month or two,When i got my K-5. For me it feels smoother and easier and photos are sharper ^_^ thanks heaps for such a great guide.

05-31-2014, 12:46 PM	#132
Monrozombi New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hershey, PA Posts: 7	I discovered this post today and couldn't wait to get home and switch my K5IIs to BBF. I'm leaving in a bit for a 6 year old's birthday party so i'm excited to see what i can get.

06-04-2014, 06:56 PM - 2 Likes	#133
dcBear78 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gladstone, QLD Photos: Gallery Posts: 823	Just thought I would share this shot, and explain how this technique made it easier for me to achieve the outcome. back button focus is not necessary but it makes the process easier and without it I may not have thought to change focus to AFC if I was using the half depress (standard) technique. Travelling Nifty 50 and the Down Under Neighbourhood by dcBear78, on Flickr I set my focus point to the middle of the lens and it gets that part focussed easily. I then discovered I had to change the distance of the camera to the subject to achieve focus on the front of the lens to get the writing crisp. So holding the focus button and it being in AFC means I could move the camera in and out, holding focus on the centre of the lens until the writing was also in focus. I guess a combo of auto and manual focus techniques in the one photo.

06-18-2014, 05:50 AM	#134
waterfall Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,812	Interesting. Much like using close focus with the 35mm Ltd. I will have to try with a standard (non-macro) lens.

06-18-2014, 07:52 AM	#135
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Using the OP's method with my DA55-300 and the battery grip on my K-5IIs, for sport shooting. Without the battery grip, and portrait mode, the AF button is not comfortable, and most of the time I end up engaging other buttons, ruining shots... For close focus, or shots with thin DOF it might be good, if you have a fast focusing lens...