Auto triggering on manual lenses when an item comes into focus,

bugeye59 · 04-05-2022, 08:41 PM

I have an older IstDL and there was a documented method, using older, manual lenses, where I could setup the camera on a tripod to focus on a flower and when a hummingbird came into the frame (an into focus) the camera would auto trigger.

I was able to make many fantastic photos of humming birds using this method.

I have lost my documentation on how to do this.

Furthermore, I now have a K-50 and I want to know if this method is still possible with this body,

Sorry if this is a simple question, I tried to do a search and I did not find anything. Thanks ahead of time.

bschriver11 · 04-05-2022, 09:17 PM

Yes. First you need to go into the custom menu settings and enable catch in focus. Set the focus mode to AF.S. Using either a manual focus lens, DA lens or, FA lens that has a AF/MF switch on the lens itself set to MF. Set the focus point and fully press the shutter release. I assume you used a remote when you did this before? You need a remote shutter release with a lock so you can walk away from it.

bugeye59 · 04-05-2022, 10:15 PM

bschriver11, Thanks for your prompt response.

I don't recall using a remote with the Istdl, when I did this many years ago.

But it is no problem, I know that I can get a remote for the k-50 at little expense.

I will try your method. Thanks.

bschriver11 · 04-05-2022, 11:29 PM

Originally posted by bugeye59

bschriver11, Thanks for your prompt response.

I don't recall using a remote with the Istdl, when I did this many years ago.

But it is no problem, I know that I can get a remote for the k-50 at little expense.

I will try your method. Thanks.

The direction was taken right from my K-50 manual. A cheap wired remote with a lock would work.

bugeye59 · 04-06-2022, 09:14 AM

Doh! RTFM!

Sure enough there it is on p 113. Sorry the K-50 is for me a recent acquisition, and I have not yet read all through the manual.

Interestingly back when the istDL was new this was not a feature explained in the istDL manual, it was discovered by users and discussed online.

stevebrot · 04-06-2022, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by bschriver11

The direction was taken right from my K-50 manual. A cheap wired remote with a lock would work.

Originally posted by bugeye59

Doh! RTFM!

Sure enough there it is on p 113. Sorry the K-50 is for me a recent acquisition, and I have not yet read all through the manual.

Interestingly back when the istDL was new this was not a feature explained in the istDL manual, it was discovered by users and discussed online.

Problem solved, but now you have me wondering how CIF works on a *istD.

Steve

kypfer · 04-07-2022, 02:15 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Problem solved, but now you have me wondering how CIF works on a *istD.

Steve

Catch in Focus always was the "default" means of operation … even my *ist film camera has it, and it was used regularly

Manual focus lens, camera set to a/f, the shutter will only release when the subject is in focus (check the Green Hexagon) … simples

It's only in more recent times that "someone somewhere" decided to make it a "feature" and include the ability to disable the functionality in the menus!

steephill · 04-07-2022, 02:39 AM

It is called snap-in focus in my MZ5 manual so the name has changed but the function long pre-dates digital. My *istD manual doesn't mention it at all!

stevebrot · 04-07-2022, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by kypfer

Catch in Focus always was the "default" means of operation … even my *ist film camera has it, and it was used regularly

Manual focus lens, camera set to a/f, the shutter will only release when the subject is in focus (check the Green Hexagon) … simples

It's only in more recent times that "someone somewhere" decided to make it a "feature" and include the ability to disable the functionality in the menus!

I sort of figured such.

To be honest, I am pretty sure I have used my *istD that way without even thinking about it.

Steve

04-05-2022, 08:41 PM	#1
bugeye59 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Philadlephia Posts: 34	Auto triggering on manual lenses when an item comes into focus, I have an older IstDL and there was a documented method, using older, manual lenses, where I could setup the camera on a tripod to focus on a flower and when a hummingbird came into the frame (an into focus) the camera would auto trigger. I was able to make many fantastic photos of humming birds using this method. I have lost my documentation on how to do this. Furthermore, I now have a K-50 and I want to know if this method is still possible with this body, Sorry if this is a simple question, I tried to do a search and I did not find anything. Thanks ahead of time.

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04-05-2022, 09:17 PM	#2
bschriver11 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 558	Yes. First you need to go into the custom menu settings and enable catch in focus. Set the focus mode to AF.S. Using either a manual focus lens, DA lens or, FA lens that has a AF/MF switch on the lens itself set to MF. Set the focus point and fully press the shutter release. I assume you used a remote when you did this before? You need a remote shutter release with a lock so you can walk away from it.

04-05-2022, 10:15 PM	#3
bugeye59 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Philadlephia Posts: 34 Original Poster	bschriver11, Thanks for your prompt response. I don't recall using a remote with the Istdl, when I did this many years ago. But it is no problem, I know that I can get a remote for the k-50 at little expense. I will try your method. Thanks.

04-05-2022, 11:29 PM	#4
bschriver11 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 558	Originally posted by bugeye59 bschriver11, Thanks for your prompt response. I don't recall using a remote with the Istdl, when I did this many years ago. But it is no problem, I know that I can get a remote for the k-50 at little expense. I will try your method. Thanks. The direction was taken right from my K-50 manual. A cheap wired remote with a lock would work.

04-06-2022, 09:14 AM	#5
bugeye59 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Philadlephia Posts: 34 Original Poster	Doh! RTFM! Sure enough there it is on p 113. Sorry the K-50 is for me a recent acquisition, and I have not yet read all through the manual. Interestingly back when the istDL was new this was not a feature explained in the istDL manual, it was discovered by users and discussed online.

04-06-2022, 10:40 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by bschriver11 The direction was taken right from my K-50 manual. A cheap wired remote with a lock would work. Originally posted by bugeye59 Doh! RTFM! Sure enough there it is on p 113. Sorry the K-50 is for me a recent acquisition, and I have not yet read all through the manual. Interestingly back when the istDL was new this was not a feature explained in the istDL manual, it was discovered by users and discussed online. Problem solved, but now you have me wondering how CIF works on a *istD. Steve

04-07-2022, 02:15 AM	#7
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,596	Originally posted by stevebrot Problem solved, but now you have me wondering how CIF works on a istD. Steve Catch in Focus* always was the "default" means of operation … even my *ist film camera has it, and it was used regularly Manual focus lens, camera set to a/f, the shutter will only release when the subject is in focus (check the Green Hexagon) … simples It's only in more recent times that "someone somewhere" decided to make it a "feature" and include the ability to disable the functionality in the menus!

04-07-2022, 02:39 AM	#8
steephill Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 590	It is called snap-in focus in my MZ5 manual so the name has changed but the function long pre-dates digital. My *istD manual doesn't mention it at all!

04-07-2022, 05:49 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by kypfer Catch in Focus always was the "default" means of operation … even my *ist film camera has it, and it was used regularly Manual focus lens, camera set to a/f, the shutter will only release when the subject is in focus (check the Green Hexagon) … simples It's only in more recent times that "someone somewhere" decided to make it a "feature" and include the ability to disable the functionality in the menus! I sort of figured such. To be honest, I am pretty sure I have used my *istD that way without even thinking about it. Steve