K3 - Sharp focus on the eye

Shellz19 · 07-16-2015, 10:23 PM

Can you zoom right in to make sure the eye is in sharp focus before you take a shot on the K3? I am sure I read how to do this a while ago, but I can't find it now.
In live view, I want to zoom in and check that the eye is pin sharp. I am shooting with a Sigma 17-70 lens and the eyes seem very soft. How do I make sure that the focus is on the eye and not some other part of the body. I am moving the square to the eye, but it is still not sharp.
Sorry for my basic explanation, but that my best way to describe it!
Thanks.

dcBear78 · 07-16-2015, 10:56 PM

Press the OK button to zoom into 100%. It will zoom into the focus square location.If you are in the mode where you are moving the focus square, press the bottom right button first to get out of this mode, then the OK button.

**tduell** · 07-16-2015, 10:56 PM

A few questions come to mind.
Are you using spot focus?
Are you shooting hand held, and do you have shake reduction on?
Are you using an f-stop that gives a suitable depth of field?
What shutter speed?
Have you tested whether your lens front or back focusses?
Out of that lot we might get some idea of why you aren't getting the result you want.

Cheers,
Terry

RollsUp · 07-16-2015, 10:59 PM

In live view press the OK button and you can use the rear dial to zoom in/out as much as you want.

Shellz19 · 07-16-2015, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by dcBear78

Press the OK button to zoom into 100%. It will zoom into the focus square location.If you are in the mode where you are moving the focus square, press the bottom right button first to get out of this mode, then the OK button.

thanks for that, that is what I was after. But is there a way to leave it at that zoom to refocus?

---------- Post added 07-17-15 at 02:30 PM ----------

Originally posted by tduell

A few questions come to mind.
Are you using spot focus?
Are you shooting hand held, and do you have shake reduction on?
Are you using an f-stop that gives a suitable depth of field?
What shutter speed?
Have you tested whether your lens front or back focusses?
Out of that lot we might get some idea of why you aren't getting the result you want.

Cheers,
Terry

I am using centre weighted.
I am using a tripod.
The f-stop was 4.5
shutter speed was 1.6
I think some of these may be the problem.
How do I know if my lens front or back focuses? And what exactly does that mean?
Thanks for your help with this.

max_pyne · 07-17-2015, 02:11 AM

Originally posted by Shellz19

shutter speed was 1.6

? what do you mean by that? 1.6s or 1/6?
this could be the cause of your problem.

To take a sharp handheld picture a rule of thumb is to have a shutter speed not slower than 1/focal length. e.g. @ 70mm you need a shutter speed of at least 1/70 to get a sharp handheld picture.
with the SR on you can lower that value...

but in your case of a portraiture you want a shutter speed of about 1/125 to freeze the natural eye movements. even when on the tripod.

i usually use the center point and move the camera as desired to frame... but on the tripod you can just move the af point to the desired position and take your image... you can move the AF point... read the manual...

On the other hand if you want to decide on what is in focus you should consider manual as this will give you the ultimate control. and it works really well with the K3s live view with focus peaking...
The AF is doing some guesswork to achieve the focus but it will never know what you want.... AF works best on contrasty things

**tduell** · 07-17-2015, 10:42 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Shellz19

How do I know if my lens front or back focuses? And what exactly does that mean?

Have a look here Squit Photo
it might help.

Cheers,
Terry

Bengan · 07-27-2015, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by Shellz19

---------- Post added 07-17-15 at 02:30 PM -------

How do I know if my lens front or back focuses? And what exactly does that mean?
Thanks for your help with this.

Usually you will have to fine tune AF for each lens on your camera body. The tool suggested looks great and rather easy to make.

You may also read this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/53-pentax-dslr-camera-articles/61385-auto...t-hints-2.html

photolady95 · 07-27-2015, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by Shellz19

I am using a tripod.

Did you turn off SR? If not, you should. SR can cause blurriness if camera on tripod.

Murfy · 07-27-2015, 01:22 PM

is the whole thing out of focus or is it just in focus somewhere else? could it possibly be a setting like noise reduction? I think there is a low shutter speed and high iso options that are really strong. you can zoom in but I don't find it to be helpful because I cant see detail very well, I need to wear readers so that is my problem. you could try live view with focus highlighting to check your focus.

**clackers** · 07-27-2015, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by Shellz19

shutter speed was 1.6
I think some of these may be the problem.

With a tripod, that shutter speed is fine for an inanimate subject.

For people - they move, even when you ask them not to.

Bump it up to at least 1/60s.

Not for camera shake, but for motion blur.

redcat · 07-28-2015, 02:10 AM

you can try to use your flash, even with the slow shutter speed, the flash will freeze the motion. If it's still not sharp then it's time to check the focus ^^

slip · 07-30-2015, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by Shellz19

Can you zoom right in to make sure the eye is in sharp focus before you take a shot on the K3? I am sure I read how to do this a while ago, but I can't find it now.
In live view, I want to zoom in and check that the eye is pin sharp. I am shooting with a Sigma 17-70 lens and the eyes seem very soft. How do I make sure that the focus is on the eye and not some other part of the body. I am moving the square to the eye, but it is still not sharp.
Sorry for my basic explanation, but that my best way to describe it!
Thanks.

Sound to me that your inexperience might be a barrier to understanding a lot of this.

First thing
Is there anything that is sharp in the photo?

07-16-2015, 10:23 PM	#1
Shellz19 New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Perth Photos: Gallery Posts: 10	K3 - Sharp focus on the eye Can you zoom right in to make sure the eye is in sharp focus before you take a shot on the K3? I am sure I read how to do this a while ago, but I can't find it now. In live view, I want to zoom in and check that the eye is pin sharp. I am shooting with a Sigma 17-70 lens and the eyes seem very soft. How do I make sure that the focus is on the eye and not some other part of the body. I am moving the square to the eye, but it is still not sharp. Sorry for my basic explanation, but that my best way to describe it! Thanks.

07-17-2015, 02:11 AM	#6
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	Originally posted by Shellz19 shutter speed was 1.6 ? what do you mean by that? 1.6s or 1/6? this could be the cause of your problem. To take a sharp handheld picture a rule of thumb is to have a shutter speed not slower than 1/focal length. e.g. @ 70mm you need a shutter speed of at least 1/70 to get a sharp handheld picture. with the SR on you can lower that value... but in your case of a portraiture you want a shutter speed of about 1/125 to freeze the natural eye movements. even when on the tripod. i usually use the center point and move the camera as desired to frame... but on the tripod you can just move the af point to the desired position and take your image... you can move the AF point... read the manual... On the other hand if you want to decide on what is in focus you should consider manual as this will give you the ultimate control. and it works really well with the K3s live view with focus peaking... The AF is doing some guesswork to achieve the focus but it will never know what you want.... AF works best on contrasty things Last edited by max_pyne; 07-17-2015 at 02:22 AM.

07-27-2015, 01:48 PM	#11
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Shellz19 shutter speed was 1.6 I think some of these may be the problem. With a tripod, that shutter speed is fine for an inanimate subject. For people - they move, even when you ask them not to. Bump it up to at least 1/60s. Not for camera shake, but for motion blur. Last edited by clackers; 07-27-2015 at 02:55 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How do you enlarge the K3 live view focus point?	rmtschanz	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	6	06-08-2015 12:07 AM
Turn off auto focus on K3 Shutter Button	Mark K5	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	7	03-02-2015 01:30 PM
K3 - low image quality, no sharp, too much noise	FunnyUncle	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	109	02-06-2015 06:14 AM
cant get sharp pics with k3	zmohie	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	35	01-20-2015 08:09 PM
Fastest focus short tele on K3?	Ben Searle	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	12-16-2014 05:08 AM

07-16-2015, 10:56 PM	#2
dcBear78 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gladstone, QLD Photos: Gallery Posts: 823	Press the OK button to zoom into 100%. It will zoom into the focus square location.If you are in the mode where you are moving the focus square, press the bottom right button first to get out of this mode, then the OK button.

07-16-2015, 10:56 PM	#3
tduell Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,513	A few questions come to mind. Are you using spot focus? Are you shooting hand held, and do you have shake reduction on? Are you using an f-stop that gives a suitable depth of field? What shutter speed? Have you tested whether your lens front or back focusses? Out of that lot we might get some idea of why you aren't getting the result you want. Cheers, Terry

07-16-2015, 10:59 PM	#4
RollsUp Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: AK USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,766	In live view press the OK button and you can use the rear dial to zoom in/out as much as you want.

07-16-2015, 11:12 PM	#5
Shellz19 New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Perth Photos: Gallery Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by dcBear78 Press the OK button to zoom into 100%. It will zoom into the focus square location.If you are in the mode where you are moving the focus square, press the bottom right button first to get out of this mode, then the OK button. thanks for that, that is what I was after. But is there a way to leave it at that zoom to refocus? ---------- Post added 07-17-15 at 02:30 PM ---------- Originally posted by tduell A few questions come to mind. Are you using spot focus? Are you shooting hand held, and do you have shake reduction on? Are you using an f-stop that gives a suitable depth of field? What shutter speed? Have you tested whether your lens front or back focusses? Out of that lot we might get some idea of why you aren't getting the result you want. Cheers, Terry I am using centre weighted. I am using a tripod. The f-stop was 4.5 shutter speed was 1.6 I think some of these may be the problem. How do I know if my lens front or back focuses? And what exactly does that mean? Thanks for your help with this.

07-17-2015, 10:42 PM - 1 Like	#7
tduell Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,513	Originally posted by Shellz19 How do I know if my lens front or back focuses? And what exactly does that mean? Have a look here Squit Photo it might help. Cheers, Terry

07-27-2015, 11:05 AM	#8
Bengan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,756	Originally posted by Shellz19 ---------- Post added 07-17-15 at 02:30 PM ------- How do I know if my lens front or back focuses? And what exactly does that mean? Thanks for your help with this. Usually you will have to fine tune AF for each lens on your camera body. The tool suggested looks great and rather easy to make. You may also read this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/53-pentax-dslr-camera-articles/61385-auto...t-hints-2.html

07-27-2015, 11:37 AM	#9
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Originally posted by Shellz19 I am using a tripod. Did you turn off SR? If not, you should. SR can cause blurriness if camera on tripod.

07-27-2015, 01:22 PM	#10
Murfy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	is the whole thing out of focus or is it just in focus somewhere else? could it possibly be a setting like noise reduction? I think there is a low shutter speed and high iso options that are really strong. you can zoom in but I don't find it to be helpful because I cant see detail very well, I need to wear readers so that is my problem. you could try live view with focus highlighting to check your focus.

07-28-2015, 02:10 AM	#12
redcat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,939	you can try to use your flash, even with the slow shutter speed, the flash will freeze the motion. If it's still not sharp then it's time to check the focus ^^

07-30-2015, 11:56 AM	#13
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	Originally posted by Shellz19 Can you zoom right in to make sure the eye is in sharp focus before you take a shot on the K3? I am sure I read how to do this a while ago, but I can't find it now. In live view, I want to zoom in and check that the eye is pin sharp. I am shooting with a Sigma 17-70 lens and the eyes seem very soft. How do I make sure that the focus is on the eye and not some other part of the body. I am moving the square to the eye, but it is still not sharp. Sorry for my basic explanation, but that my best way to describe it! Thanks. Sound to me that your inexperience might be a barrier to understanding a lot of this. First thing Is there anything that is sharp in the photo?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search